Nilgiri-class frigates are the first to be built in India using modular block assembly. They are slightly larger than their Project 17 sisters, although crew size has been reduced from 255 to 225. The Project 17A frigates displace 6,670 tons fully loaded and measure 489 feet overall, with a 58-foot beam and 17-foot draft. While many of the systems remain similar, the newer frigates feature enhanced signature reduction with a primary EL/M-2248 MF-STAR active electronically scanned array radar housed in an integrated mast.
The Project 17A frigates do not carry the Shtil-1 SAM, and instead of the short-range Barak-1 missiles, they are armed with 32 Barak-8 medium-range SAMs for air defense. The frigates also are powered by different variants of the LM2500 gas turbines and diesels. Planning is already underway on the next evolution of frigates, tentatively named Project 17B, for service in the 2030s.





















