Union Government approved Project-17A worth 8 billion US dollar

Union Government on 18 February 2015 approved Project-17A worth 8 billion US dollar. The project is aimed at building country's most advanced warships.  Under the Project-17A seven frigates will be built indigenously with stealth features to avoid easy detection.

The frigates under the Project-17A will be built at government shipyards in Mumbai and Kolkata.

The move is a part to boost Make in India campaign to build a domestic defence industrial base and reduce dependence on expensive imports that have made India the world's biggest arms market.

Project 17-A was awaiting cabinet clearance since 2012. The project has significance in combating the rising role of Chinese Navy.

China's naval forays in the Indian Ocean have exposed the Indian navy's weak undersea defences, which are down to 13 ageing diesel-electric submarines after a string of accidents and mishaps.