Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned two cutting-edge multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. This marks the first time two frontline warships, built at different Indian shipyards, have been inducted simultaneously, underscoring the growing strategic importance of India’s eastern seaboard.
The frigates, part of the advanced Project 17A (Nilgiri-class), are successors to the Project 17 (Shivalik-class) frigates, boasting significant upgrades in stealth, design, and combat capabilities. Constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, respectively, Udaygiri and Himgiri are designed for “blue water” operations, capable of tackling conventional and non-conventional threats across vast oceanic expanses.
With a displacement of approximately 6,700 tonnes, these frigates feature a sleeker hull design to minimize radar, infrared, and acoustic signatures, enhancing their stealth capabilities. They are powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, achieving speeds over 28 knots and an endurance of 5,500 nautical miles. Their advanced weaponry includes BrahMos supersonic missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm naval gun, and anti-submarine systems like torpedoes and rocket launchers, supported by indigenous sensors such as the Hull Mounted Sonar Advanced (HUMSA-NG) and electronic warfare suites like Ajanta and Shakti.
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Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, Udaygiri is the 100th ship crafted by the bureau, a testament to five decades of indigenous warship design. Both ships, with 75% indigenous content, involved over 200 MSMEs, generating 4,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The frigates honor their predecessors, INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34), which served for over 30 years, blending legacy with modern capability.
Post-commissioning, both warships will join the Eastern Fleet, bolstering India’s maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. “These frigates enhance our combat readiness and reaffirm India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing,” Singh said at the ceremony, highlighting the synergy between India’s premier shipyards. The event signals India’s accelerating naval modernization, positioning it as a formidable maritime power.
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