New Delhi: In a historic milestone for India’s maritime defence, the Indian Navy is set to commission two advanced frontline stealth frigates, Udaygiri (F35) and Himgiri (F34), simultaneously on August 26 at Visakhapatnam. This marks the first time that two major surface combatants built by two different Indian shipyards will be commissioned together, underscoring the rapid pace of naval modernisation and indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
Project 17A Frigates: Cutting-Edge Design and Firepower
Both frigates are part of the prestigious Project 17A programme:
- Udaygiri has been constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
- Himgiri is the first of its class built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Notably, Udaygiri represents the 100th ship designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, highlighting India’s growing expertise in complex warship design.
Displacing approximately 6,700 tonnes, these stealth frigates feature a sleeker hull with reduced radar cross-section and enhanced manoeuvrability powered by Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion and controllable-pitch propellers.
Their formidable armament includes:
- Supersonic surface-to-surface missiles
- Medium-range surface-to-air missiles
- A 76 mm medium-range gun
- Close-in weapon systems (30 mm and 12.7 mm)
- Advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities
- Boosting India’s Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem
The construction of Udaygiri and Himgiri has engaged an extensive industrial supply chain involving over 200 MSMEs, generating about 4,000 direct jobs and over 10,000 indirect jobs. This project further solidifies the role of Indian industry in delivering cutting-edge naval assets, in alignment with the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
A Year of Indigenous Naval Milestones
The twin commissioning adds to an impressive year for the Indian Navy, which has inducted several indigenous platforms in 2025, including:
- Destroyer INS Surat
- Frigate INS Nilgiri
- Submarine INS Vaghsheer
- Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft INS Arnala
- Diving Support Vessel INS Nistar
Both Udaygiri and Himgiri have successfully completed rigorous sea trials, confirming their readiness for operational deployment.
Strategic Significance
The commissioning ceremony on August 26 will be a powerful symbol of India’s maritime self-reliance and technological maturity. These warships will enhance the Navy’s ability to safeguard India’s maritime interests with assets designed, built, and manned entirely in India.
A proud testament to self-reliance
The commissioning of Udaygiri and Himgiri underscores the Navy’s commitment to self-reliance in ship design and construction and follows the commissioning of other indigenous platforms, including destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri, submarine INS Vaghsheer, ASW Shallow Water Craft INS Arnala, and Diving Support Vessel INS Nistar, all in 2025 alone. Rigorous sea trials have validated the frigates’ hull, machinery, firefighting, damage control, navigation and communication systems, ensuring they are ready for operational deployment.
The forthcoming ceremony at Visakhapatnam will thus be more than a naval ritual; it will be a celebration of India’s journey towards a robust and self-sufficient maritime defence ecosystem. As the nation watches the two grey hulls take their place in the fleet, the message will be clear: India’s oceans are guarded by ships built in India, designed by Indians and staffed by Indians – a true embodiment of the Make in India initiative and a beacon of the country’s rising maritime power.
