The Indian Navy’s latest stealth frigate, INS Nilgiri, made its maiden visit to Chennai on Thursday, marking a proud moment as it arrived in the state that inspired its name. INS Nilgiri is the first of seven advanced stealth frigates built under Project 17A and features state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, significantly enhancing India's naval strength, according to the Defence Ministry.

Named after Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Hills—also known as the Blue Mountains—the ship symbolizes strength, heritage, and resilience. It was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 15, 2025, and stands as a key achievement in India's indigenous shipbuilding efforts under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Designed by the Warship Design Bureau and constructed at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders in Kolkata, the 149-metre-long ship has a displacement of 6,670 tonnes. It features stealth technology with reduced radar and infrared signatures. INS Nilgiri is equipped with Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, BrahMos cruise missiles, torpedo launchers, and advanced close-in weapon systems. It uses a CODOG propulsion system, allowing speeds up to 32 knots and a range of over 5,500 nautical miles.

Commanded by Captain Nitin Kapoor, the ship has over 27 officers and 250 sailors and can carry up to 226 personnel. After being commissioned, it reached its homeport at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command on June 22. The Navy called the ship’s visit to Chennai a symbolic homecoming, linking the spirit of the mountains with the strength of the seas.