India Commissions State-of-the-Art Stealth Frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri
In a significant development for India's naval advancement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially commissioned two cutting-edge Project 17A multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. This event marked the first occasion where two frontline surface combatants, originating from different shipyards, were commissioned simultaneously.
Describing the occasion as a manifestation of the dream for a self-reliant India, Singh emphasized that the commissioning of these two frigates highlights the country's growing capabilities in indigenous defence production.
Cutting-Edge Capabilities
Both frigates, designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, are equipped with advanced stealth technology, long-range surface-to-air missiles, supersonic BrahMos missiles, and indigenous rocket and torpedo launchers. They feature state-of-the-art combat management and fire-control systems. With Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion, these ships are capable of carrying out a comprehensive range of maritime operations in open-sea conditions.
Singh described these warships as transformative, stating that they are equipped to perform highly complex and risky operations at sea, and referred to them as invincible sentinels of the sea.
Built Across Two Shipyards
| INS Udaygiri | Constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, it is the fastest ship of its class to be delivered post-launch using modular construction. |
| INS Himgiri | Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, highlighting the collaborative strength of India’s shipbuilding industry. |
Both ships incorporate approximately 75% indigenous content, supported by over 200 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and creating approximately 4,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs.
Maritime Legacy and Significance
These new frigates carry the names of their distinguished predecessors, INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34), which served the nation for over thirty years. Notably, Udaygiri is the 100th ship designed by the Navy’s design bureau, commemorating five decades of indigenous warship design.
Singh highlighted India’s maritime heritage by stating:
“Our future, prosperity, and security are deeply tied to the seas. With INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, our Navy’s reach and resilience will be significantly enhanced.”
Strengthening Eastern Fleet
Once commissioned, both frigates will be part of the Eastern Fleet, enhancing India’s maritime capability and ensuring the protection of national interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
