The Nilgiri class frigates are 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 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 Brirish refused to provide license production of the radar suite the Indian Navy tied up with Signaal of the Netherlands to license build in India a similar radar search, tracking and fire control suite which went into the latter 5 ships. Improved versions of the Signaal search radar continues to be fitted in later classes of Indian Navy ships. The last two INS Vindhyagiri and INS Taragiri were modified significantly with the addition of a Seaking ASW helicopter, a collapsibile Canadian hangar, ILAS 324 mm triple torpedo tubes and a Bofors ASW twin barrel mortar in the foc'sle. This re-design was done indigenously by the Indian Navy and gave it much needed experience and confidence in ship design and modification. The last two were also fitted with a indigenously developed ASW fire control action information system which was a first for the Indian electronics industry. This project was led by the late 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 is being decommissioned by the Navy. At least four ships have been decommissioned and one met with an accident. Only INS Taragiri remains in full commission as of 2011 and is likely to be put into reserve soon with the entry into service of the Shivalik class.
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Frigate |
| Displacement: | 2,682 tons (standard) 2,962 tons (full load) |
| Length: | 113 m |
| Beam: | 13 m |
| Draught: | 4.3 m |
| Propulsion: | 2 x 550 psi (3,800 kPa) boilers 2 x 30,000 hp motors |
| Speed: | 28 knots |
| Range: | 4,000 miles at 12 knots |
| Complement: | 267 (incl 17 officers) |
| 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 Type 170 active attack sonar |
| Armament: | 2 x MK.6 Vickers 115mm guns 2 x AK-630 6-barreled 30 mm gatling guns 2 x Oerlikon 20mm guns 2 x triple ILAS 3 324 mm torpedo tubes with Whitehead A244S or the Indian NST-58 torpedoes |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 Westland Sea King or HAL Chetak |
