Indian Navy stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri commissioned under Project 17A with 75% indigenous content, boosting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening India’s Eastern Fleet.
Indian Navy Commissions Stealth Frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri
A Historic Dual Induction Strengthening India’s Maritime Might
On August 26, 2025, a landmark moment unfolded at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned two cutting-edge Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates—INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri. This marked the first-ever simultaneous induction of two frontline combat ships built at two different Indian shipyards, showcasing India’s naval modernization.
Innovative Design and Indigenous Excellence
These frigates are not just new names but embodiments of technological evolution. Featuring advanced stealth capabilities, modern sensors, and weapon systems, they significantly boost India’s maritime operational effectiveness. With over 75% indigenous content, their design and construction reflect the growing capacities of India’s defense ecosystem and the commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Twin Pride: Udaygiri and Himgiri — Legacy Reborn
Named after revered predecessors, the new Udaygiri pays homage to the frigate that served from 1976 to 2007, while Himgiri revives the name of a vessel active from 1974 to 2005. This commissioning blends India’s naval legacy with future aspirations, strengthening institutional pride.
Enhancing Strategic Coverage in Blue Waters
Both vessels joined the Eastern Fleet, enhancing India’s capacity to respond swiftly across the Indian Ocean Region. Their induction strengthens India as a first responder and preferred security partner, capable of addressing piracy, smuggling, maritime terrorism, and disaster-relief operations.
A Symbol of Self-Reliance and Strategic Deterrence
“This is not just an enhancement of the Indian Navy’s capabilities but a clear message that India is fully capable of securing its maritime borders,” said Union Minister Rajnath Singh. He also lauded the ships as “floating F-35s”, referring to their technological sophistication and strategic deterrence. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and other senior leaders saw this as a testament to India’s growing naval confidence.
Why This News Is Important
A Leap in Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
For the first time, India concurrently commissioned two advanced surface combatants built in domestic shipyards—Mazagon Dock (Mumbai) and GRSE (Kolkata). This milestone signals the maturity of India’s indigenous defense production and fulfills the vision of becoming self-reliant in naval capabilities.
Strategic Boost in Maritime Security
By inducting stealth frigates with enhanced detection and armament capabilities, India fortifies operational readiness in the Eastern theatre. These vessels elevate the Navy’s ability to control the seas, ensuring secure sea lanes and safeguarding national interests.
Symbolic Assertion of Naval Power
Drawing a parallel to the highly-regarded American F-35 fighter jet, the term “floating F-35” underscores India’s emerging sophistication in naval warfare technology and symbolizes deterrence and technological parity.
Historical Context
The Project 17A Legacy
The Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth frigates evolved from the earlier Shivalik-class (Project 17) vessels. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, these advanced platforms are built to operate across full-spectrum maritime missions.
Design Bureau’s Milestone
INS Udaygiri is the 100th ship designed in-house by the Warship Design Bureau, marking half a century of India’s warship design capability.
Construction and Delivery Timeline
- Udaygiri: Keel laid May 7, 2019; launched May 17, 2022; delivered July 1, 2025.
- Himgiri: Keel laid November 10, 2018; launched December 14, 2020; delivered July 31, 2025.
Both vessels successfully completed trials before commissioning in August 2025.
Key Takeaways from “India Commissions Dual Stealth Frigates Udaygiri & Himgiri”
| S.No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | First simultaneous commissioning of two frontline Indian-built warships from two different shipyards. |
| 2. | Ships are Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates with advanced design, stealth, and combat systems. |
| 3. | Over 75% indigenous content—a direct boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Indian defense industry. |
| 4. | INS Udaygiri is the 100th vessel designed by the Warship Design Bureau, symbolizing design maturity. |
| 5. | The frigates elevate India’s naval deterrence and operational reach, especially in the Indian Ocean Region. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri?
They are Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates inducted into the Indian Navy in August 2025.
Q2. Where were these ships built?
INS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and INS Himgiri was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Q3. Why is the commissioning of these ships significant?
This is the first-ever simultaneous commissioning of two frontline warships from different Indian shipyards, showcasing India’s growing indigenous defense capacity.
Q4. How much indigenous content do these ships have?
Both ships contain over 75% indigenous components, reflecting the progress of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Q5. What legacy do the names Udaygiri and Himgiri carry?
The names honor earlier ships of the same names that served in the Indian Navy between 1970s and 2000s, reinforcing naval traditions.
Q6. What is the primary role of these stealth frigates?
They are designed for multi-mission operations, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface operations, air defense, and maritime surveillance.
Q7. Which fleet will these frigates serve in?
Both have been inducted into the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy, headquartered at Visakhapatnam.
Q8. Who commissioned these frigates?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially commissioned both ships on August 26, 2025.
Q9. What milestone is associated with INS Udaygiri?
INS Udaygiri is the 100th vessel designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, symbolizing design maturity and indigenous expertise.
Q10. How do these frigates enhance India’s strategic reach?
They improve India’s blue-water capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region, ensuring maritime security, deterrence, and rapid response.
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