Kolkata Airport News: GRSE Warship Model Unveiled to Showcase Defence Self-Reliance
Kolkata Airport News
A large-scale model of an advanced Indian Navy warship has been unveiled at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, highlighting India’s growing capabilities in indigenous defence manufacturing. The installation showcases India’s focus on self-reliance in warship building and is expected to attract the attention of passengers travelling through the airport.
The 20-metre-long model represents the Project 17A Himgiri-class advanced guided-missile frigate. It has been installed in the city-side open area outside the airport terminal building. The model has been designed, installed and will be maintained by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), Ministry of Defence, inaugurated the warship model at a ceremony in Kolkata. Senior officials from GRSE, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Kolkata airport were also present.
The display is a non-commercial initiative and is intended to give domestic and international travellers a closer look at India’s indigenous naval technology.
The installation also represents cooperation between AAI and GRSE. By placing the model at one of eastern India’s busiest international gateways, the initiative aims to showcase India’s defence manufacturing capabilities to a large number of visitors.
The model represents the Project 17A Himgiri-class frigate programme. These advanced warships are designed for multiple military roles, including anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
The frigates feature modern weapons, sensors and survivability systems. The actual warships are around 149 metres long and have a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes.
They use a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system and incorporate modern technologies focused on stealth, automation, firepower and combat capabilities.
GRSE has played an important role in the construction of Project 17A frigates. The first GRSE-built frigate, Himgiri, was delivered to the Indian Navy on July 31, 2025.
The second frigate, Dunagiri, was delivered on March 30, 2026, and was later commissioned into the Indian Navy on June 21, 2026. The third GRSE-built frigate, Vindhyagiri, is currently under construction and has reached an advanced stage.
These warships demonstrate India’s increasing ability to design and build sophisticated naval platforms within the country.
The Kolkata airport installation is also linked to the wider vision of Aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance. The display is intended to demonstrate India’s progress in defence production and indigenous technology.
GRSE, which has operated from Kolkata since 1960, is one of India’s leading defence public sector shipyards. The company has built and delivered 118 warships, including 80 warships for the Indian Navy.
The warship model at Kolkata airport is therefore more than a large public display. It serves as a symbol of India’s progress in defence manufacturing and its growing expertise in building advanced naval vessels domestically.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
