![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
The Indian Navy is set to commission two advanced stealth frigates—INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri—at the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the ceremony, which signifies a major boost to India’s maritime strength and indigenous defence capabilities.
A Strategic Leap Amid Regional Tensions
The increasing naval collaboration between China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean region continues to pose challenges for India’s maritime security. In response, India is rapidly strengthening its naval fleet with advanced indigenously built warships.
The addition of Udaygiri and Himgiri, both part of the state-of-the-art Project 17A, will significantly enhance India’s ability to secure critical sea lanes and deter regional threats.
With their induction, the total number of warships commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2025 will rise to seven, following the earlier inclusion of INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and others.
Project 17A: Advancing Indigenous Naval Power
Project 17A under the Indian Navy’s self-reliance campaign, aims to deliver seven Nilgiri-class guided missile stealth frigates. These multi-role frigates are being constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- A contract for the construction of four frigates was awarded to MDL and three to GRSE in 2015.
- All seven ships were launched between 2019 and 2023.
- Sea trials are currently underway for four vessels.
By end 2025, at least three of these warships—INS Nilgiri, INS Udaygiri, and INS Himgiri—will be active in the fleet, reinforcing India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Technological Edge of Udaygiri and Himgiri
Both ships boast cutting-edge capabilities that allow them to operate effectively in high-threat environments:
Armament:
BrahMos missiles for anti-surface and anti-ship warfare
Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missiles for aerial threats
Varunastra torpedoes and anti-submarine rocket launchers for undersea warfare
Sensors and Systems:
Advanced sonar systems
Integrated combat management systems
Multifunction digital radar
Aviation Capability:
Can carry and operate two helicopters
Equipped with an onboard hangar for deployment and maintenance
These ships feature a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, allowing speeds of up to 30 knots. With a displacement of 6,700 tonnes, they are approximately 5% larger than the earlier Shivalik-class frigates.
Naval Heritage and Design Excellence
Both Udaygiri and Himgiri are named in honour of distinguished predecessors, INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34), which served the Indian Navy with distinction for over three decades. The revival of these names reflects the Navy’s tradition of honouring its legacy while moving forward with modern capability.
Notably, Udaygiri is the 100th warship designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB), a major achievement that showcases five decades of indigenous design excellence.
A Step Towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Around 75% of the equipment used in Project 17A frigates has been sourced from Indian companies, including a wide network of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The design, construction methodology, steel, and many core components reflect India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Udaygiri, in particular, was the fastest ship in its class to be delivered post-launch—thanks to the adoption of modular construction practices by Indian shipyards.
Strengthening the Eastern Fleet and the Indian Ocean Strategy
Once commissioned, both Udaygiri and Himgiri will join the Eastern Naval Command, reinforcing India’s maritime posture along the eastern seaboard.
