Kolkata: Visitors arriving at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport will now be greeted by a striking symbol of India’s defence prowess: a 20-meter-long scale model of the Project 17A Advanced Guided-Missile Frigate, standing proudly in the open-air space outside the terminal building.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited officially unveiled the impressive installation, marking a bold public engagement initiative aimed at showcasing India’s rapid progress toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The inauguration ceremony, held recently, drew top officials from both the defence ministry and the Indian Navy, underscoring the significance of this display.
A Gateway to Innovation
“This isn’t just a model sitting at an airport,” officials from the Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking explained. “It’s a striking landmark for millions of passengers—a powerful symbol of ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) and a testament to the proud collaboration between AAI and GRSE in bringing indigenous naval technology closer to the Indian people and global travellers alike.”
The installation reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047” (Developed India by 2047) and the transformative potential of self-reliance in warship building. Positioned at one of Eastern India’s busiest international gateways, the exhibit serves as a window into the nation’s technological capabilities and remarkable strides in defence manufacturing.
Engineering Excellence
The Project 17A, also known as the Himgiri Class, represents one of India’s most ambitious indigenous warship-building programmes. These vessels are the largest frigates ever constructed domestically and operated by the Indian Navy.
Engineered for versatility, these next-generation stealth frigates are designed to handle multi-mission operations—from anti-air and anti-surface warfare to anti-submarine combat. Each warship displaces around 6,670 tonnes and stretches 149 metres in length, powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system. They embody a generational leap forward in indigenous design, incorporating advanced weapons, cutting-edge sensors, superior survivability features, and enhanced automation compared to their predecessors.
Delivering Results
GRSE has executed the Project 17A programme with remarkable success:
- INS Himgiri (first frigate) was delivered to the Indian Navy on July 31, 2025
- INS Dunagiri (second frigate) joined the Navy on March 30, 2026, and was commissioned into active service by Prime Minister Modi on June 21, 2026
- INS Vindhyagiri (third and final frigate) is currently under construction and has reached an advanced stage
These technologically sophisticated vessels stand as powerful symbols of India’s growing expertise in warship design and construction, reflecting the nation’s commitment to defence self-reliance.
A Legacy of Excellence
GRSE’s track record speaks for itself. Established as a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) in 1960, the shipyard has constructed an impressive 808 ships of various classes over six decades. Of these, 118 were delivered to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard—a record that underscores GRSE’s position as the premier shipbuilding facility in the nation.
The numbers are even more remarkable when focused on warship production: GRSE has delivered 80 warships to the Navy—an unmatched record among Indian shipyards. The facility continues to expand its capabilities, currently constructing multiple advanced platforms including:
- The Project 17A Advanced Frigates
- Four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWCs)
- Four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs)
- 30 additional platforms, including 13 slated for export
From Export to Global Recognition
GRSE’s contributions to India’s defence exports deserve special mention. The shipyard earned the distinction of building the MCGS Barracuda—India’s first exported warship, now operated by the Mauritius Coast Guard. The facility has also exported PS Zoroaster to the Seychelles, further cementing India’s reputation as a reliable defence technology supplier in the global market.
A Message to the World
By placing this impressive scale model at one of Asia’s busiest international airports, GRSE and India are sending a clear message: the nation is not just capable of meeting its own defence needs, but is emerging as a credible defence manufacturer on the global stage. The silent sentinel greeting every traveller serves as a daily reminder of India’s technological progress and unwavering commitment to building world-class defence platforms indigenously.
For millions of passengers—domestic and international—the model will become an iconic symbol of Indian ingenuity, precision engineering, and the nation’s journey toward becoming a $5 trillion economy with robust defence capabilities to match.
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