9 MCQs on INS Vindhyagiri, the 6th Stealth Frigate in the Indian Navy

On August 17, 2023, President Droupadi Murmu launched the INS Vindhyagiri, the sixth stealth frigate under Project 17A at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) in Kolkata. The frigate is named after the Vindhyagiri mountain range in Karnataka.

The INS Vindhyagiri is a 149-meter long, 6670-tonne guided missile frigate with a top speed of 28 knots. It is equipped with a variety of weapons and sensors, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the AK-630 close-in weapon system, and the S-70B Seahawk helicopter. The frigate also has advanced stealth features that make it difficult to detect by radar and other sensors.

The INS Vindhyagiri is the third and final stealth frigate that GRSE will build for the Indian Navy under Project 17A. The other two frigates, INS Nilgiri and INS Satpura, were launched in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The INS Vindhyagiri will undergo extensive trials before being commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2024.

The induction of the INS Vindhyagiri is a significant boost to the Indian Navy's capabilities. The frigate's stealth features and advanced weapons make it a formidable asset in the Indian Ocean region. The INS Vindhyagiri will play a key role in protecting India's maritime interests and deterring threats from its adversaries.

The launch of the INS Vindhyagiri is also a major step towards India's goal of self-reliance in defense production. Over 75% of the equipment and systems used in the frigate are indigenously manufactured. This is in line with the government's Make in India initiative, which aims to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce India's reliance on foreign imports.

The induction of the INS Vindhyagiri is a significant achievement for the Indian Navy and the Indian defense industry. The frigate is a powerful symbol of India's growing maritime capabilities and its commitment to self-reliance in defense production.

Here are some of the key features of the INS Vindhyagiri:

• Stealth features: The INS Vindhyagiri has been designed with stealth features to make it difficult to detect by radar and other sensors. This includes a low radar cross-section, a smooth hull, and a V-shaped hull that reduces its wake.
• Weapons: The INS Vindhyagiri is armed with a variety of weapons, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the AK-630 close-in weapon system, and the S-70B Seahawk helicopter. The BrahMos missile is capable of flying at speeds of up to Mach 3, making it a formidable anti-ship weapon.
• Sensors: The INS Vindhyagiri is equipped with a variety of sensors, including a radar, a sonar, and an electronic warfare system. These sensors will allow the frigate to detect and track threats from both the air and the sea.
• Endurance: The INS Vindhyagiri has a range of over 5000 nautical miles, which will allow it to operate for extended periods of time without refueling.

The INS Vindhyagiri is a powerful warship that will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's capabilities. The frigate's stealth features and advanced weapons will make it a formidable asset in the Indian Ocean region. The INS Vindhyagiri is a major step towards India's goal of becoming a net security provider in the region.

9 MCQs with answers on the INS Vindhyagiri with explanation: