INS Udaygiri, INS Himgiri join fleet: India's new stealth frigates commissioned

Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy has officially commissioned two advanced Nilgiri-class stealth guided-missile frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, in a simultaneous ceremony held at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the event, marking a significant boost to India’s maritime defence capabilities.

INS Udaygiri is the second vessel in the Project 17A series built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, while INS Himgiri is the first Project 17A ship constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Both vessels incorporate next-generation stealth features, comprehensive weaponry, and state-of-the-art sensors, representing a modern leap in India’s indigenously built warship fleet.

The new frigates, displacing around 6,700 tonnes, feature a reduced radar cross-section and employ combined diesel or gas propulsion, enabling high-speed and efficient manoeuvring. Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles, and advanced anti-submarine capabilities, they are prepared for multi-dimensional warfare.

The ships also support helicopter operations, including MH-60 Romeo and ALH Dhruv Mk-III, enhancing their operational versatility. With approximately 75 per cent indigenous content, both frigates highlight India’s commitment to self-reliance and ‘Make in India’ defence manufacturing.

This milestone cements India’s growing naval strength, equipping the Eastern Fleet with enhanced surveillance, strike, and defence capabilities critical for safeguarding the Indian Ocean Region amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.

With inputs from ANI