Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday commissioned two state-of-the-art multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This marks a historic moment for the Navy as both vessels belong to the cutting-edge Project 17A program and, for the first time, two frontline surface combatants constructed at two separate shipyards were commissioned simultaneously. This milestone reflects the expanding maritime importance of India’s eastern seaboard and strengthens the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities.
According to defence officials, both ships are follow-on vessels of the Project 17 (Shivalik-class) frigates but have been enhanced with significant advancements in design, stealth, weapon systems, and sensor technologies. Their induction highlights the Navy’s ability to undertake the full spectrum of maritime missions under blue-water operational conditions, thereby boosting India’s maritime security posture.
INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri: A Landmark in Project 17A
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri represents a generational leap in Indian naval shipbuilding. INS Udaygiri, constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, is the second Project 17A stealth frigate. In contrast, INS Himgiri is the first ship of its class to be built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. This dual commissioning is unprecedented and demonstrates the growing capability of India’s shipyards to deliver highly advanced combat platforms. Udaygiri also holds the distinction of being the fastest ship of her class to be delivered post-launch, thanks to the adoption of modular construction methodologies by Indian shipyards.
Design Enhancements, Stealth Features, and Combat Systems
Displacing approximately 6,700 tons, the Project 17A class frigates are nearly five percent larger than their Shivalik-class predecessors. Their sleeker design ensures reduced radar cross-section, enhancing stealth. The ships are equipped with advanced weapons and sensors, including supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm MR Gun, and close-in weapon systems comprising 30 mm and 12.7 mm guns. These advanced systems make the frigates fully capable of undertaking multiple maritime missions, ranging from anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare to power projection in distant waters.
Indigenous Capabilities and Aatmanirbhar Bharat Vision
The induction of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri also underscores India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. With 75 percent indigenous content, these vessels reflect the contributions of over 200 MSMEs, which have generated approximately 4,000 direct jobs and more than 10,000 indirect jobs. Significantly, INS Udaygiri is the 100th ship to be designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), a milestone achieved after five decades of sustained efforts in indigenous naval design. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised this achievement as a testament to India’s technological progress and resilience in naval construction.
Strategic Role in Strengthening India’s Eastern Fleet
Following commissioning, both frigates will join the Navy’s Eastern Fleet, further bolstering India’s ability to safeguard its interests across the Indian Ocean Region. Defence Minister Singh, while addressing the gathering, stated that the commissioning of these platforms strengthens India’s resolve to achieve complete self-reliance in warship design and construction. He emphasized that India’s democratic values, demographic strength, and skilled workforce create a win-win situation for global partnerships. The Minister also hailed companies like Mazagon Dock and GRSE as brand ambassadors of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, highlighting their contribution to the Navy’s operational growth and maritime power projection.
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