Mazagon, Garden Reach Shipbuilders lead race for Defence Ministry's ₹70,000 crore warships order

New Delhi: The defence ministry is set to clear a mega ₹70,000 crore order for new warships for the Indian Navy. The stealth frigates will be the most advanced ships to be built in India and are a follow-on of the Nilgiri class that are currently under construction.

Sources said that state-run yards - Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) - are the frontrunners for the order that is classified as Project 17B. The two yards are currently constructing frigates under Project 17A (Nilgiri class). MDL is making four of the frigates while GRSE is executing an order for three.

While details will emerge after the defence ministry clears the project, there is a possibility that it could be split between the two yards, as was the case for Project 17A. A split order helps shorten delivery timelines for the Navy.


The advanced frigates will have high indigenous content, which will include locally developed fire control system, Brahmos cruise missiles, anti-submarine weapons and electronic warfare systems. The order will help boost dozens of sub-suppliers and vendors who will get a major share of the work.

One of India's most advanced shipyards, MDL has a larger order book that could get further strengthened with the order. The Mumbai-based yard is currently constructing the Kalvari class submarines, Project 17A class frigates and has just completed construction of Project 15B class destroyers.

The yard is also expected to sign a contract for three additional Kalvari class submarines in the current financial year, which is likely to be valued at around ₹35,000 crore. These new submarines will be larger and more advanced than the six Kalvari class that have been constructed by the yard.

GRSE is currently building next generation offshore patrol vessels and anti-submarine warfare corvettes. The Kolkata-based yard also has had recent success in securing export orders, with several more in the pipeline.