In what comes as a major boost for the Indian Navy, the Centre is set to approve a Rs 70,000 core contract for building new state-of-the-art stealth warships.
According to media reports, these warships will be the most advanced vessels to be made in India and will include Brahmos cruise missiles, anti-submarine weapons, indigenous fire control systems and electronic warfare systems.
Shipmakers Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) are at the forefront to grab the massive order. The possibility of splitting the order between the two government-owned companies is also being suggested to expedite the delivery, say reports.
The contract has been classified as Project 17B. These ships are a continuation of the Nilgiri class frigates that are currently being built by these two shipyards.
The order for Nilgiri-class frigates was split between the two shipyards earlier. MDL is responsible for building four frigates while GRSE has been assigned three. The project's first five ships have been launched by the MDL and GRSE between 2019 and 2022.
The latest order of warships is expected to offer a major benefit to several sub-suppliers and vendors who will be receiving a huge chunk of the work.
