Nilgiri-class frigate (1972)

For the modern class of frigates built since the late 2010s, see Nilgiri-class frigate (2019)

INS Udaygiri (F35) in Amsterdam on 8 July 1977
Class overview
NameNilgiri class
BuildersMazagon Dock Limited
Operators Indian Navy
Succeeded byGodavari class
Built1966 – 1981
In commission1972 – 2013
Completed6
Retired6 (INS Vindhyagiri was sunk but salvaged and later retired)
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement
  • 2,682 tons (standard)
  • 2,962 tons (full load)
Length113 m (371 ft)
Beam13 m (43 ft)
Draught4.3 m (14 ft)
Propulsion
  • 2 × 550 psi (3,800 kPa) boilers
  • 2 × 30,000 hp motors
Speed28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Range4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement267 (incl 17 officers)[1]
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Signaal DA05 / BEL PFN513 radar
  • Signaal LW08 / BEL RAWL02 surface radar
  • Signaal ZW06 / BEL RASHMI navigation radar
  • Signaal M-45 navigation radar
  • Westinghouse SQS-505 / Graesby 750 sonar 184M
  • Type 170 active attack sonar
  • Type 903 radar (MRS-3 system)
Armament
Aircraft carried1 Westland Sea King or HAL Chetak

The Nilgiri-class frigates were updated versions of the Leander class, designed and built for the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. Six ships were built between 1972–81. Vessels of the class formed the 14th Frigate Squadron. The lead ship INS Nilgiri was the first major warship to be built in India and was built in collaboration with Yarrow Shipbuilders of the United Kingdom.

The class and its lead ship, INS Nilgiri are named for the Nilgiri Hills. Subsequent ships in the class are also named for hill ranges of India.

When the British refused to provide license production of the radar suite, the Indian Navy teamed up with Signaal of Netherlands to license-build a similar radar search, tracking and fire control suite in India, which went into the latter five ships. Improved versions of the Signaal search radar continues to be fitted in later classes of Indian Navy ships. As delivered, the ships carried British Seacat quadruple SAM launchers (one in INS Nilgiri, two in the rest) and the first four ships had Limbo anti-submarine mortars.[2] The Seacats were later replaced by Russian AK-230 twin 30mm anti-aircraft guns, and the Limbo by ILAS 324 mm triple torpedo tubes.

The last two ships, INS Vindhyagiri and INS Taragiri were modified significantly with the addition of a Sea King ASW helicopter, a collapsible Canadian hangar, ILAS 324 mm triple torpedo tubes and a twin-tube launcher for Bofors 375mm anti submarine rockets. This re-design was done indigenously by the Indian Navy and gave it much needed experience and confidence in ship-design and modification. They were also fitted with an indigenous ASW fire control action information system which was a first for the Indian electronics industry. This project was led by Captain (later Rear Admiral) Prakash N Gour. The British categorically refused to extend their design warranty to the Indian modifications which nevertheless proved to be a success.

The Nilgiri class has been decommissioned by the navy, with the entry into service of the Shivalik-class. Five ships have been decommissioned and one sunk in an accident. INS Taragiri was the last ship of the class to be decommissioned, on 27 June 2013 in Mumbai, after serving 33 years in the navy.[3]

  1. ^ Indian Naval Ships-Frigates-Giri Class Archived 15 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Cdr C.J.Meyer OBE,RN (1984). Modern Combat Ships 1 - 'Leander' Class. Ian Allen Ltd. p. 53. ISBN 0 7110 1385 3.
  3. ^ "INS Taragiri bows out of service". Business Standard. Indo-Asian News Service. 27 June 2013.