Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has unveiled a 20-metre-long scale model of the Project 17A (Himgiri Class) Advanced Guided-Missile Frigate at the City Side of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in indigenous defence manufacturing.
The scale model was inaugurated by Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Defence Production), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The initiative highlights India’s focus on Atmanirbharta in defence and brings the country’s indigenous naval technology closer to the public and international travellers.
GRSE Unveils Himgiri-Class Frigate Model at Kolkata Airport
The fully weatherproof model has been installed in the open-air area outside the airport terminal building.
The installation has been designed, installed and maintained by GRSE and serves as a non-commercial public display.
The ceremony was attended by:
- Cmde PR Hari, Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE
- Capt (IN) P Sunilkumar (Retd.), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), GRSE
- Vikram Singh, Director, NSCBI Airport, Kolkata
- Senior officials from GRSE and the Airports Authority of India (AAI)
Located at one of Eastern India’s busiest international gateways, the installation is expected to provide millions of passengers with a glimpse of India’s advanced indigenous warship-building capabilities.
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Project 17A Highlights India’s Defence Self-Reliance
The scale model represents the Project 17A (Himgiri Class) Advanced Guided-Missile Frigate programme, one of India’s major indigenous warship-building initiatives.
The next-generation stealth frigates are designed for multi-mission naval operations, including:
- Anti-air warfare
- Anti-surface warfare
- Anti-submarine warfare
The warships incorporate advanced weapons, sensors, automation and survivability features, representing significant advances in India’s indigenous warship design and construction capabilities.
Himgiri-Class Frigates Feature Advanced Specifications
The Project 17A frigates measure approximately 149 metres in length and have a displacement of around 6,670 tonnes.
Key features include:
- Advanced stealth design
- Modern weapons and sensor systems
- Enhanced survivability
- Automated systems
- Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion
- Multi-mission combat capabilities
The programme represents a significant advancement in indigenous naval technology, particularly in terms of stealth, firepower, automation and combat capability.
GRSE Delivers Two Project 17A Frigates to Indian Navy
GRSE has played a significant role in the execution of the Project 17A programme.
The shipyard’s first Project 17A frigate, Himgiri, was delivered to the Indian Navy on July 31, 2025.
The second frigate, Dunagiri, was delivered on March 30, 2026, and was subsequently commissioned into service by the Prime Minister on June 21, 2026.
The third and final Project 17A frigate being constructed by GRSE, Vindhyagiri, is currently at an advanced stage of construction.
The three frigates demonstrate India’s expanding capabilities in indigenous warship design and construction and serve as symbols of the country’s growing defence self-reliance.
Initiative Reflects Atmanirbharta and Viksit Bharat Vision
The public display at Kolkata airport reflects the government’s broader focus on Atmanirbharta, or self-reliance, in defence manufacturing.
Installed at a major international gateway, the frigate model is intended to showcase India’s technological capabilities and progress in defence manufacturing to both domestic and international travellers.
The initiative also reflects the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ and highlights the collaboration between AAI and GRSE.
GRSE Continues to Expand Advanced Shipbuilding Portfolio
GRSE is currently undertaking the construction of several advanced naval and commercial platforms.
Its ongoing projects include:
- One Project 17A Advanced Frigate
- Four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs)
- Four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs)
- Multiple commercial and export vessels
The shipyard continues to expand its capabilities in advanced naval platforms while contributing to India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
About Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) is a premier Defence Public Sector Undertaking based in Kolkata and has been operating since 1960. The shipyard has built and delivered 118 warships, including 80 warships for the Indian Navy, giving it a record unmatched by any other Indian shipyard. GRSE is engaged in building advanced naval platforms as well as commercial and export vessels.
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