Visakhapatnam, August 26 (HS): In a historic first for Indian shipbuilding, two frontline multi-mission stealth frigates — INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri — were inducted simultaneously into the Indian Navy’s fleet on Tuesday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the ceremony at the Visakhapatnam naval base, marking a significant leap in India’s naval modernization drive.
The induction of two advanced surface combatants from two premier Indian shipyards — Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (Mumbai) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (Kolkata) — underscores the Navy’s rapid strides in self-reliance and indigenous warship production under Project 17A. While INS Udaygiri is the 100th warship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, INS Himgiri represents the first stealth frigate of this class to roll out of Kolkata.
Weighing around 6,700 tonnes, both frigates are larger, sleeker, and stealthier than their Shivalik-class predecessors, reducing radar visibility and enhancing survivability in modern combat. They are powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, featuring diesel engines and gas turbines driving controllable-pitch propellers, all managed by an advanced integrated platform management system.
The formidable weapons suite includes supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76mm medium-range gun, close-in weapon systems (30mm and 12.7mm), and comprehensive anti-submarine warfare systems. During sea trials, the frigates successfully proved their hull, propulsion, navigation, and combat readiness for operational deployment.
Over 200 MSMEs contributed to their construction, generating close to 4,000 direct jobs and more than 10,000 indirect opportunities — further reinforcing India’s indigenous defence industrial base. Nearly 75% of the ships’ equipment is indigenously sourced, aligning with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
The vessels carry forward the proud legacy of their namesakes — the earlier INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34) — which served the nation with distinction for more than three decades before decommissioning.
With their induction, the Indian Navy’s maritime combat strength has received a formidable boost, enhancing India’s capability to safeguard its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
