- The Indian Navy is set to commission two state-of-the-art Project 17A (P-17A) stealth frigates - INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri - on 26 August 2025 at Naval Base, Visakhapatnam. The induction of these warships will significantly bolster India’s maritime security and self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.
About the Frigates:
- INS Udaygiri, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), Mumbai, and INS Himgiri, constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, are part of the seven-ship Project 17A programme, an advanced follow-up to the Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates.
- Both vessels were designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), showcasing India’s growing naval design expertise.
- Upon commissioning, the frigates will join the Eastern Fleet, enhancing India’s operational reach across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Features:
- Propulsion: Modern Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) plants for higher efficiency.
- Systems: Advanced Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
- Weapons & Sensors: Equipped with an indigenous suite of cutting-edge systems developed by Indian defence manufacturers.
- Indigenous Content: Around 75% indigenous components, supported by hundreds of MSMEs, reflecting Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence production.
- Special Distinction: INS Udaygiri is the fastest ship of its class to be delivered post-launch, enabled by modular construction techniques.
Significance:
- The induction of Udaygiri and Himgiri marks a major leap in India’s naval power, with capabilities to undertake the full spectrum of maritime missions in blue-water conditions.
- Their commissioning will not only augment the Navy’s combat readiness but also reaffirm India’s commitment to self-reliance in warship design and construction.