INS Udaygiri and Himgiri: The Indian Navy is set to mark a milestone with the simultaneous commissioning of two state-of-the-art stealth frigates – INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34) – at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, August 26. This unprecedented event – inducting two frontline surface combatants from different shipyards at the same time – will be presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and underscores a significant leap in naval modernisation and shipbuilding synergy.
Both ships carry the names of earlier frigates that served India for decades:
INS Udaygiri revives the name of a Leander-class ship that was commissioned in 1976, and decommissioned in 2007.
INS Himgiri inherits from a Leander-class warship that was in service between 1974 and 2005.
This revival honours naval tradition while embracing advanced, modern capabilities.
Both frigates belong to Project 17A – also known as the Nilgiri-class stealth frigates. This initiative is a follow-on to the earlier Shivalik-class (Project 17), designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
INS Udaygiri holds a special distinction as the 100th ship designed by the WDB – a testament to decades of indigenous naval engineering growth.
Reflecting the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, both frigates feature approximately 75 per cent indigenous content, supported by over 200 MSMEs and generating thousands of jobs. They are living symbols of India’s home-grown defence manufacturing prowess.
INS Udaygiri was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (Mumbai) and delivered on July 1, 2025 – one of the fastest deliveries in the class, thanks to a modular construction methodology.
INS Himgiri was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata; completed sea trials in March, delivered on July 31, 2025, and is the first P17A ship from GRSE.
Both frigates displace approximately 6,670 tonnes and feature advanced stealth characteristics – reduced radar, infrared, acoustic, and magnetic signatures, composite superstructures, and flush-mounted systems – to minimise detection.
Powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) configuration – diesel engines for cruising, gas turbines for speed – they offer high endurance and over 28 knots of speed. An Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) ensures automated control over shared systems.
Both frigates pack a formidable arsenal:
BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for sea and shore targets
Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missiles via vertical launch system
A 76 mm main gun, CIWS (30 mm & 12.7 mm) for point defense
Anti-submarine weaponry: torpedo tubes, RBU-6000 rocket launchers
Notably for Himgiri:
MF-STAR AESA radar, BEL HUMSA-NG sonar, Ajanta EW suite
Hangar and flight deck for operations with MH-60 Romeo, ALH Dhruv Mk-III, or Sea King helicopters – extending ASW, surveillance, and SAR capabilities
These frigates are designed for multi-mission operations, spanning anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine, land-attack, and electronic warfare roles. Their induction significantly boosts the Indian Navy’s ability to operate across the Indian Ocean Region, enhancing maritime security and safeguarding vital trade routes.
Joining the Eastern Fleet, they reinforce presence along India’s eastern seaboard, countering evolving conventional and non-conventional threats and underlining India’s role as a blue-water navy.
The twin commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri is more than an operational boost. It symbolises:
The strength of modular shipbuilding across premier Indian shipyards.
The reach of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, delivering cutting-edge warships with high indigenous content.
The Navy’s commitment to building a self-reliant, technologically superior, and operationally potent fleet.
As India charts its maritime course amid growing regional challenges, these frigates are pivotal assets – embodying modern naval warfare capabilities, national pride, and strategic foresight.
