Project 17A stealth frigate INS Udaygiri commissioned in record time with 75% indigenous content, marking a major milestone for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Indian Navy modernisation.
India Commissions Second Project 17A Stealth Frigate “Udaygiri” in Record Time
Landmark Delivery of INS Udaygiri
On July 1, 2025, India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate of the advanced Project 17A (P-17A) “Nilgiri-class,” to the Indian Navy It took just 37 months from launch to delivery—the fastest build period ever for this advanced class
Cutting‑Edge Stealth and Weapon Capabilities
Project 17A frigates are geo‑symmetrically 4.54% larger than their predecessors, the Project 17 “Shivalik” class, enabling better radar evasion, endurance, and equipment room They boast a state-of-the-art weapons suite that includes:
- Supersonic surface-to-surface missiles
- Medium-range surface-to-air missiles
- A 76 mm main gun
- 30 mm and 12.7 mm rapid-fire Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)
Indigenous Focus & Warship Design Bureau Excellence
Over 75% of Udaygiri’s content is sourced from Indian OEMs, reflecting Prime Minister Modi’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision It also marks the 100th warship designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, showcasing a major leap in indigenous ship design capabilities
Innovative Construction and Propulsion
Employing a modular “Integrated Construction” method—where ship blocks are pre‑outfitted before final assembly—Udaygiri achieves quicker build times and efficiency It uses a Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system with controllable pitch propellers and includes a modern Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for ship control
Economic & Strategic Ripples
The P-17A programme supports over 200 MSMEs, directly employing 4,000 personnel and generating another 10,000 indirect jobs It enhances India’s maritime footprint in both conventional and non-conventional threat environments, reinforcing national security in the Indian Ocean Region
Why This News Is Important
Strategic Significance
This commissioning reinforces India’s blue-water naval aspirations. Udaygiri’s advanced stealth, weaponry, and sensors enhance mission versatility—from maritime security to anti-submarine warfare—boosting India’s operational edge in increasingly contested waters.
Indigenous Defence & Policy Impact
With over 75% local content and being the 100th design by the Warship Design Bureau, this achievement celebrates India’s growing defence self-reliance. It signals maturity in national policy goals like Aatmanirbhar Bharat, showing that large-scale indigenization is now feasible for high-tech defence platforms.
Industrial Ecosystem & Economic Outcomes
The project’s modular build method symbolizes maturation in shipbuilding efficiency. It not only accelerates delivery schedules but stimulates growth and modernisation in the ancillary sector, benefiting MSMEs economically and boosting national employment.
Exam-Relevant Knowledge
For exam aspirants (PSCs, CSE, IBPS, railways, defence, police, etc.), this story blends defence capability, industrial policy, science and tech, and economic/ecological impact—topics frequently tested in General Studies, especially in defence & international security, science & technology, and Indian economy.
Historical Context
Continuity from Shivalik‑Class (P-17) Frigates
Project 17A builds on lessons from the earlier Shivalik-class (Project 17), which introduced stealth and multi-role capability. P-17A enhances these features by increasing size, integrating better sensors, and advancing combat systems
Evolution of Indigenous Warship Design
The Warship Design Bureau’s journey—from designing aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to stealth frigates—culminates in P-17A vessels being the 100th in-house design, underlining India’s mastering of complex naval engineering .
Naval Doctrine and Regional Power Projection
A modern Indian Navy capable of “blue water” presence aligns with global naval doctrines. The P-17A programme helps India project power, secure maritime trade routes, and participate in strategic deterrence—a clear shift from coastal to high-seas capability.
Key Takeaways from Udaygiri Commissioning
| No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Udaygiri is the second P-17A stealth frigate, delivered in a record 37 months |
| 2 | It features advanced stealth, supersonic SSMs, MR SAM, 76 mm gun, CIWS, gas/diesel CODOG propulsion, and an IPMS . |
| 3 | More than 75% indigenous content supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative . |
| 4 | This marks the 100th ship designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, showcasing in-house engineering skill . |
| 5 | The P-17A programme benefits over 200 MSMEs, generating around 14,000 jobs, while enhancing India’s maritime security posture . |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is INS Udaygiri?
INS Udaygiri is the second stealth frigate of the Project 17A (Nilgiri-class), designed and built indigenously for the Indian Navy.
2. What is Project 17A?
Project 17A is a follow-up of the Project 17 “Shivalik-class” stealth frigates, aimed at building advanced warships with enhanced stealth, armament, and sensor capabilities.
3. How long did it take to build INS Udaygiri?
It was delivered in just 37 months from launch to delivery, making it the fastest-delivered warship under this project.
4. Who built INS Udaygiri?
It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, under the guidance of the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
5. What is the significance of the Warship Design Bureau in this project?
INS Udaygiri is the 100th warship designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau, showcasing India’s progress in indigenous shipbuilding.
6. What propulsion system is used in INS Udaygiri?
The frigate uses a CODOG (Combined Diesel Or Gas) propulsion system with controllable pitch propellers.
7. How is Project 17A aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat?
Over 75% of the components in INS Udaygiri are sourced from Indian manufacturers, boosting self-reliance in the defence sector.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
