Visakhapatnam: In a significant step towards enhancing the nation’s maritime strike power, the Indian Navy on Tuesday commissioned two multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri. Both are armed with eight BrahMos missiles and fitted with an array of advanced weapons and sensors made by Indian manufacturers.

The two state-of-the-art Project 17A stealth frigates were formally commissioned at the Eastern Naval Command, in a ceremony presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This is the first time that two major frontline warships, built at two different shipyards, have been commissioned on the same day.

What did the Defence Minister say?

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Singh praised the Navy and highlighted the significance of the new vessels.

“These warships’ weapons and sensor packages make them the unparalleled guardians of the sea. It has been told to me that these warships also include many advanced capabilities. These two warships, which can cover long distances, have advanced systems such as surface-to-surface air missiles, supersonic BrahMos missiles, torpedo launchers, combat management systems, and fire control systems,” he said.

Calling them modern platforms designed for “very complex and risky operations at sea,” the minister added they would prove to be a game-changer.

He further remarked, “You have launched the indigenous F35 warship. One nation has a flying F-35, and you have built a floating F-35, that also made in India,” referring to the United States’ F-35 jets, noted for their stealth and speed.

Why is Udaygiri significant?

INS Udaygiri is the 100th vessel to be designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), marking five decades of indigenous design. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, it is also the fastest ship of its class to be delivered post-launch, owing to modular construction methods used by Indian shipyards.

INS Himgiri is the first of the P17A class constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. Together, Udaygiri and Himgiri represent a new generation of warships, evolving from the earlier Project 17 (Shivalik) class.

What makes the P17A frigates different?

Weighing about 6,700 tonnes, the P17A class frigates are around five percent larger than their Shivalik-class predecessors. They feature a more streamlined form with reduced radar visibility and come fitted with indigenous weapons and sensors.

The armaments include supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm MR Gun, and close-in weapon systems of 30 mm and 12.7 mm calibre.

According to officials, these ships are capable of undertaking the full range of maritime missions in blue-water conditions.

What has the Navy said?

“Two state-of-the-art combatant platforms join the Indian Navy fleet, fortifying India’s strength at sea…” the Navy posted on X late Monday.

How do they support indigenous defence?

The two frigates are products of an industrial base that spans over 200 MSMEs, creating around 4,000 direct jobs and more than 10,000 indirect jobs. With 75 per cent indigenous content, the vessels reflect the government’s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in defence production.

Following their commissioning, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri will join the Eastern Fleet, boosting the Navy’s combat readiness and strengthening India’s ability to safeguard its maritime interests across the Indian Ocean Region, the Ministry of Defence said in a release.

(PTI inputs)