Defense Ministry ready to place order worth ₹70,000 crore for purchase of new warship, these companies are ahead in the race

India is ready to purchase a new warship. The Defense Ministry is about to approve a huge order worth Rs 70,000 crore for new warships for the Indian Navy. The stealth frigates will be the most advanced ships to be built in India and will succeed the Nilgiri class ships, which are currently under construction. Government yards – Mazagon Dockyards Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers – are the frontrunners for the warship order, The Economic Times reported. According to the news, these have been categorized as Project 17B.

The order can be divided between both yards

According to the news, both the yards are currently building frigates under Project 17A (Nilgiri class). Mazagon Dockyards Limited is building four frigates, while Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers is working on an order for three. It is being said that the remaining details will be revealed after the Defense Ministry approves the project. There is also a possibility that the order may be split between the two yards. It has been observed that segmented orders help in reducing delivery timelines for the Navy.

Locally developed systems will be included

The advanced frigate will have high indigenous content, including locally developed fire control systems, 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 larger share of the work. Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL), one of India’s most advanced shipyards, has a large order book which may get further strengthened with orders.

Three additional Kalvari category submarines also discussed

The Mumbai-based yard is currently building Kalvari class submarines, Project 17A class frigates and has recently completed construction of Project 15B class destroyers. The yard is also expected to sign contracts for three additional Kalvari class submarines in the current financial year, which is likely to be worth around ₹35,000 crore. These new submarines will be larger and more advanced than the six Kalvari class submarines built by the yard. GRSE is currently building next generation offshore patrol vessels and anti-submarine warfare corvettes.