Visakhapatnam – In a major boost to India’s naval firepower and indigenous shipbuilding, the Indian Navy on Tuesday commissioned two state-of-the-art stealth frigates — INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri — into active service at Visakhapatnam.
The frigates are the second and third warships of the seven-ship Project 17A (Nilgiri Class), designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built using a modern integrated construction process. This technique enables faster, modular shipbuilding and has reduced timelines from 8–9 years to just six.
Advanced Capabilities
The Nilgiri-class frigates displace about 6,700 tonnes, feature improved stealth and survivability, and are equipped with an array of advanced weapons and sensors. Their arsenal includes the land-attack version of the BrahMos supersonic missile, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine systems, a 76 mm gun, and close-in weapon systems.
They are powered by Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion, offering higher speeds and improved fuel efficiency, and can operate in distant seas — a true ‘blue water’ capability.
Proudly Indigenous
Both frigates showcase India’s growing self-reliance in defence. INS Udaygiri was built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, while INS Himgiri was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. With over 75% indigenous content, their construction involved Indian MSMEs and domestic defence manufacturers.
These ships are also historically significant — the 100th and 101st warships designed in-house by the WDB and built in India.
Tradition and Heritage
The Navy revived the legacy of earlier frigates with the same names. The first INS Udaygiri served from 1976 to 2007, while the earlier INS Himgiri was in commission from 1974 to 2005. The new vessels symbolically carry forward this maritime tradition.
Strengthening the Eastern Fleet
Both frigates will join the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command, reflecting India’s growing operational focus on the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific. Their induction significantly enhances the Navy’s ability to safeguard sea lanes and respond rapidly to maritime contingencies.
The remaining four frigates of the Nilgiri Class — Dunagiri, Taragiri, Vindhyagiri and Mahendragiri — are under construction and are expected to be delivered by mid-2026.
