Visakhapatnam: In a landmark event reflecting India’s maritime strength and growing self-reliance, two state-of-the-art multi-mission stealth frigates — INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri — were commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 26, 2025, at the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning ceremony took place in the august presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, naval dignitaries, veterans, and top defence personnel.
This is the first time that two frontline surface combatants, built by two different Indian shipyards — Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai (INS Udaygiri) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata (INS Himgiri) — were commissioned simultaneously, marking a significant milestone in indigenous shipbuilding.
Powerful and Indigenous: INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri
Both frigates are part of Project 17A, the successor to the Shivalik-class, and represent a quantum leap in capability. They boast:
- Advanced stealth features
- Reduced radar signature
- Next-gen surveillance radars & electronic warfare suites
- Supersonic surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles
- Rapid-fire gun systems
- Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion
Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for enhanced efficiency
With over 75% indigenous content, these frigates are 100th and 101st warships designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau — a true testament to the Navy’s capability to innovate and execute complex design and production programs indigenously.
Strengthening India’s Maritime Posture
Speaking at the ceremony, Raksha Mantri lauded the Navy’s growing self-reliance and futuristic vision, calling INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri “shining examples” of Aatmanirbharta.
“These warships not only enhance India’s maritime capability but also reaffirm our role as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR),” he said.
The ships are equipped to conduct multi-dimensional operations — anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) — making them critical to India’s full-spectrum maritime missions.
A Blue-Water Navy with a Vision
Rajnath Singh stressed that India does not believe in aggressive expansion, but will always give a befitting response to those who threaten its sovereignty.
Citing Operation Sindoor as an example of the Navy’s quick response and strategic dominance, the Raksha Mantri emphasized the need for a future-ready force. “We are not just protecting our land, sea, and sky anymore — we are now actively securing space, cyberspace, economic space, and social space,” he said.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Becoming Ground Reality
The commissioning aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India, with Raksha Mantri stating, “Aatmanirbharta is no longer just a slogan; it is becoming a ground reality.”
The collaboration between MDL and GRSE demonstrates how government-owned defence shipyards can deliver complex warships with synergy, precision, and indigenous technology, contributing to India’s defence production ecosystem, particularly by involving MSMEs and Indian OEMs.
Naval Leadership Reaffirms Commitment
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, hailed the commissioning as a milestone that showcases the Navy’s growing operational and technological prowess. Highlighting the Navy’s decisive posturing during Operation Sindoor, he asserted that the Indian Navy remains a credible deterrent and maritime power.
Both INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri will operate under the Eastern Naval Command, enhancing India’s strategic footprint across the Bay of Bengal and Eastern Seaboard.
Carrying Forward Naval Heritage
The two frigates revive the legacies of their distinguished predecessors:
- INS Udaygiri (1976–2007)
- INS Himgiri (1974–2005)
This not only honours India’s rich maritime tradition, but also symbolizes the seamless integration of legacy with modern capability.
Project 17A: Building the Future Fleet
The commissioning of these ships is part of a broader strategy to modernize and expand India’s naval fleet. The remaining four frigates under Project 17A are in advanced stages of construction and are expected to be delivered by mid-2026.
- INS Udaygiri: Keel laid – May 7, 2019 | Launched – May 17, 2022 | Delivered – July 1, 2025
- INS Himgiri: Keel laid – Nov 10, 2018 | Launched – Dec 14, 2020 | Delivered – July 31, 2025
A New Era for Indian Naval Power
The induction of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri signals a new era of operational readiness, indigenous strength, and strategic capability for the Indian Navy. With their induction, India has taken another formidable step toward blue-water naval dominance, ensuring security and stability in the wider Indo-Pacific region.
