Project 17B-class frigate

P-17B will be an improved variant of P-17A design. (Shown is an artist's rendition of P-17A)
Class overview
Name	Project-17B class
Operators	Indian Navy
Preceded by	Nilgiri class
Cost	₹70,000 crore (US$8.3 billion) (Total cost) around ₹ 9,994 crore (US$1.2 billion) per ship [1]
Planned	7-8
General characteristics
Type	Stealth guided-missile frigate
Displacement	6,700–8,000  t (6,600–7,900 long tons)
Armament	>48 VLS cells [1] which might include Project Kusha SAMs Barak 8 SAM Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

The Project-17 Bravo frigates (P-17B) or Next Generation Frigates (NGF) are a class of planned stealth guided-missile frigates to be built for the Indian Navy (IN). The class will be a follow-on for Nilgiri-class frigates which is under construction. The class is a part of Next Generation series of future frontline surface combatants of the Indian Navy which includes Next Generation Destroyers (NGD) or Project 18-class destroyer and Next Generation Corvettes (NGC). ^{[2] [3]}

History

Background

In July 2024, reports suggested about a new class of 8 stealth frigates as follow-on of the previous Nilgiri-class frigates which was under construction till them. The ships were to be built by two shipyards with 1:1 order share of 4 ships each. The leading contenders for the deal were Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) was expected to clear the deal soon after the nature of the design of the frigates were under discussion for over a year. This would be the most technically advanced warships to be built in India. The ships will likely feature an indigenous main fire control radar against the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radars on previous designs as well as other advanced indigenous weapon systems. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

On 3 September 2024, the project, worth ₹ 70,000 crore (US$8.3 billion), was cleared by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – the main acquisition panel under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) headed by Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh for 7-8 next generation ships. The approval for other major projects and acquisitions like Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) for main battle tanks of the Indian Army ( ₹ 50,000 crore (US$5.9 billion)) and 31 MQ-9B drones was granted. Reports also suggested that the ships may weigh up to 8,000  t (7,900 long tons ) and have significantly enhanced firepower and strike capabilities when compared to the Nilgiri-class. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

As of 8 July 2025, Request for Proposal (RfP) for the Project 17B frigates is expected soon. ^[10] As of 18 November, the RFP of Project 17B followed by the same for the MCMV project is expected to be released within 3–4 months. ^[11]

Design

Armament

The ship will be equipped with at least 48 VLS cells which will be compatible for launching surface-to-air missiles as well as surface-to-surface missiles and anti-ship missiles including Barak 8, Project Kusha system, BrahMos and LR-LACM or Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM). ^{[1] [12]}

See also

Frigates of comparable configurations and capabilities

• FREMM multipurpose frigate – A series of multi-purpose frigates, operated by the French Navy, the Italian Navy, the Royal Moroccan Navy, the Egyptian Navy and currently being built for the United States Navy and the Indonesian Navy.
• Type 26 frigate – A class of frigates ordered by the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.
• Mogami-class frigate – A class of multi-mission frigates currently being built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
• Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate – A class of guided-missile frigates operated by the Russian Navy.
• Constellation-class frigate – A series of multi-purpose frigates currently being built for the United States Navy.

Other references to the Indian Navy

• Future ships of the Indian Navy
• List of active Indian Navy ships

References

1. "Why Indian Navy's New P17B Frigate Will Cost $1.19 Billion Per Unit, 50% More Than Previous P15B". Defence.in. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
2. Menon, Adithya Krishna (29 August 2024). "India's First P17A Nilgiri-class Frigate Starts Sea Trials". Naval News. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
3. Menon, Adithya Krishna (13 August 2023). "India Proceeds with New Submarines, Surface Ships Development". Naval News. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
4. "'Most advanced ships to be built in India': Defence ministry to clear mega Rs 70,000 crore order for new stealth warships". The Times of India. 18 July 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 3 September 2024.
5. Pubby, Manu (18 July 2024). "Mazagon, Garden Reach Shipbuilders lead race for Defence Ministry's ₹70,000 crore warships order". The Economic Times. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 3 September 2024.
6. "All you need to know about new warships to be approved by Centre. They will be built at a cost of Rs 70,000 crore". The Week. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
7. "Navy's Rs 70,000-crore warship project, Army's 1,700-tank proposal to be approved". India Today. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
8. "Rafale-M acquisition to clear final hurdle at DAC today". Hindustan Times . 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
9. "Defence Acquisition Council accords preliminary approval for 10 procurement proposals worth ₹1.44 lakh crore". The Hindu. 3 September 2024. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 4 September 2024.
10. Singh, Mayank (7 July 2025). "17 warships, nine submarines await approval". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
11. Menon, Adithya Krishna (18 November 2025). "Indian Shipyard MDL Expects New Projects From Indian Navy". Naval News. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
12. "Indian Navy to equip upcoming Project-17B Frigates with 1,000 km range ITCM". India's growing Military power. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.