Posted on August 26, 2025
In a first for the Indian Navy, two cutting-edge stealth frigates—INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri—were commissioned together at Visakhapatnam on August 26, 2025, in a ceremony led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The twin induction marks a historic leap in fleet modernisation and signals India’s growing confidence in complex naval shipbuilding.
Both warships are part of Project 17A (Nilgiri-class)—India’s newest class of multi-mission, stealth-optimised guided-missile frigates. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built across two premier shipyards—Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai for Udaygiri and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for Himgiri—the duo showcases the maturing depth of indigenous capability. Notably, this is the first time the Navy has commissioned two frontline surface combatants simultaneously, a milestone for Indian shipbuilding cadence.
On paper and in steel, the numbers impress. A displacement of around 6,670 tonnes, length of ~149 metres, and top speed near 28 knots give the ships the reach and agility expected of a blue-water fleet unit. Their stealth shaping reduces radar cross-section, while raft-mounted machinery and advanced propeller design cut acoustic signatures—key for surviving in contested seas.
The combat suite is thoroughly modern. Each ship fields BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for sea-strike and land-attack roles, paired with Barak-8/LR-SAM in vertical launchers for layered air defence. The IAI EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA radar provides multi-target tracking, while the HUMSA-NG sonar underpins anti-submarine warfare alongside torpedo tubes and rocket launchers. Together, the sensors and shooters turn these frigates into true multi-mission platforms—able to hunt subs, defend the fleet, or deliver precision strikes at range.
Aviation capability is central to their punch. A large flight deck and hangar support medium naval helicopters—from legacy Sea Kings to the newer MH-60R Seahawks—extending the ships’ eyes and weapons far beyond the horizon for ASW and maritime strike tasks.
Equally significant is what these ships represent for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. With high indigenous content (around 75%) across platform, sensors, and weapons, they reflect deep local supply chains and systems integration—outcomes that compound over time into faster builds, lower lifecycle costs, and sovereign control over upgrades.
Why this matters now: The Indian Ocean Region is seeing denser naval traffic and competitive posturing. Twin, same-day commissioning rapidly adds credible, modern hulls to the order of battle—improving task-group availability for carrier escort, sea-lane security, and expeditionary missions from the Gulf of Aden to the Western Pacific. It also signals to partners and competitors alike that India can design, build, deliver, and field complex warships at scale.
From legacy names reborn to next-gen capability stacked bow-to-stern, Udaygiri and Himgiri arrive as quiet, hard-hitting sentinels—purpose-built for a busier ocean and a bigger Indian role upon it. Today’s double commission isn’t just about two ships; it’s about a faster drumbeat for India’s maritime power.