In a historic stride toward maritime self-reliance, the Indian Navy is set to commission two advanced indigenous stealth frigates—INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri—on August 26 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. This marks the first-ever simultaneous induction of major surface combatants built by two separate Indian shipyards, a proud moment under the banner of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Meet the Frigates: INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri
- INS Udaygiri (F35): Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, it is the second ship in the Project 17A series and the 100th vessel designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
- INS Himgiri (F34): Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, it is the first of the Project 17A ships from GRSE and a reincarnation of the original INS Himgiri, a Leander-class frigate decommissioned in 2005.
Project 17A: A Quantum Leap in Naval Engineering
These frigates are part of the Nilgiri-class under Project 17A, a follow-on to the Shivalik-class, but with significant upgrades.
These Nilgiri-class frigates, part of Project 17A, represent a significant upgrade over their predecessors. With a displacement of approximately 6,700 tonnes—about 5% larger than the Shivalik-class—they feature a sleeker hull design that enhances stealth by reducing radar cross-section. Powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, they utilize controllable-pitch propellers for improved maneuverability and efficiency. The ships are equipped with an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), allowing for advanced automation in machinery control and operational management. Their formidable weapon suite includes supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm medium-range gun, close-in weapon systems of 30 mm and 12.7 mm caliber, and state-of-the-art anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Together, these features make INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri powerful, versatile assets in India’s naval arsenal.
Strategic Capabilities and Blue-Water Readiness
Designed for multi-mission operations in blue-water environments, these frigates are capable of countering both conventional and asymmetric threats. Their versatility makes them ideal for surveillance, escort duties, and combat operations across India’s maritime interests.
Built by India, for India
The construction of these warships involved over 200 MSMEs, generating approximately 4,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs. With 75% indigenous content, they stand as a testament to India’s growing defense manufacturing ecosystem.
A Ceremony Beyond Tradition
The commissioning ceremony will be more than a naval ritual—it will be a celebration of India’s engineering excellence, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to self-reliance. As the grey hulls of Udaygiri and Himgiri join the fleet, they send a clear message: India’s oceans are guarded by ships built in India, designed by Indians, and crewed by Indians.