Indian Navy Set to Commission Frontline Stealth Frigates Udaygiri and Himgiri

The Indian Navy is all set to strengthen its maritime security with the commissioning of advanced frontline stealth frigates – INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34). The two grey whales will be commissioned on 26 August 2025 in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, as announced by the official authorities. An honour in the history of the Indian Navy is that, for the first time, two battleships from different shipyards will be released at the same time. Read further to break down all the facts related to this event and learn how it will benefit blue-water operations.

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Key Details of this Event-

• Upgradation of Nilgiri-class frigates of Project 17 Alpha (Project 17A or P17A)
• Designed with advanced features and weapons
• 75% domestic material under Atmanirbhar Bharat: Make in India
• It will be released on 26th August, 2025, at Naval Dockyard in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

Overview of INS Udaygiri-

Under Project 17A, INS Udaygiri is the third Nilgiri-class frigate. As an indigenous project, it was built by a Mumbai-based company, MDL-Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. The name of the battleship is inspired by a mountain range in Andhra Pradesh. This name was previously assigned to the first Leander-class frigate (served from 1976 to 2007). On 12 September 2020, the second ship from this project was laid down and named Udaygiri, continuing the legacy. It was launched on 17 May 2022 and handed over to the Indian Navy on 1 July 2025. The frigate pennant number is F35.

Features:

• Frigate Length: 149 m 
• Frigate Speed: 28 knots(52 km/hr)
• Displacement: 6670 tonnes 
• Armed Equipment: Anti-ship/Land attack missiles, Supersonic surface to surface missiles, Torpedos, Long-range (surface to air) missiles, ASW rockets
• Crafted to reduce radar, infrared and acoustic background
• Aircraft: MH-60R and HAL Dhruv Helicopters

Overview of INS Himgiri-

The second Nilgiri-class stealth warship under Project 17A, INS Himgiri, is a warship with the latest naval technology constructed by Kolkata-based shipbuilding company Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). The warship was again named after the Leander-class INS Himgiri in the 1970s. The name is derived from the Himalayan ranges, which represent strength and durability. The ship was laid down by Admiral Karambir Singh on 10th November 2025. General Bipin Rawat launched this frigate on 14th December 2020, and it was handed over to the Indian Navy on 31st July 2025. This frigate has pennant number F34.

Features:

• Frigate Length: 149 m 
• Frigate Speed: 28 knots(52 km/hr)
• Displacement: 6670 tonnes 
• Armed Equipment: Anti-submarine warfare, triple torpedo tubes, Guns, Anti-air missiles, Anti-ship missiles, Long-range (surface-to-air) missiles, ASW rockets
• Crafted to reduce radar, infrared and acoustic background
• Aircraft: MH-60R, Chetak, Seaking 42, ALH Mk 3 and HAL Dhruv Helicopters

Design and Development of Frigates-

• The INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri were designed by the Indian Navy Warship Design Bureau.
• They are the advanced version of the Shivalik class. 
• The construction of INS Udaygiri was undertaken by MDL, a Mumbai-based shipbuilding company.
• The INS Himgiri was constructed by the Kolkata shipbuilding company, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GSRE). It was the first warship project of the company.
• The frigates have a cross-section and modular design with enhanced CODOG propulsion and weapons.
• These warships have an ergonomic layout for easy maintenance and upgrades.

Combined Features of Both Frigates(INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri)-

• Hull and modular design, geosymmetrically larger by 4.54%
• Integration of radar, sonar and missile systems.
• Automated design for reducing crew workload.
• Ease in modification and upgradation.
• Improved damage control 
• It is a part of the Atmanirbhara Bharat initiative and supports 200 MSMEs. It is 75% secured as an indigenous project.

What is Project 17A?

The Project 17A was launched in the year 2019 by the Indian Navy for building full-equipped, stealth-guided missile frigates, under which INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri were constructed. It is a program that is a follow-up to the earlier Project 17 from the vessels of the Shivalik-class. From 2025 onwards, it is recognised as Nilgiri class. The project’s main objective is to create 7 efficient stealth frigates with advanced features, sensors and latest weapons with indigenous design and construction. The contract for building modular and advanced propulsion system ships was given to MDL and GSRE.

Significance of Frigates-

These stealth frigates are significant to the nation as:

• Increase maritime surveillance capabilities
• Naval war preparations readiness.
• It has multiple roles, like submarine warfare, air defence, fleet escort duty and anti-surface warfare.
• Building these frigates represents the country’s investment in national security and infrastructure development.
• They are built for naval and anti-warfare operations. They are designed for anti-submarine attacks, aerial defence, and safeguarding against threats from the ocean.

India Navy’s Current Strength of Weapons-

The Indian Navy possesses a diverse range of missiles, rockets, torpedoes and guns to protect our nation from enemies and terrorism. Some armaments are made in India or imported from other countries. We have specialised systems to protect from counterattacks and have special missiles such as:

• Surface-to-surface missiles: BrahMos, Klub
• Surface-to-air missiles: Barak 1
• Aviation: P-81 Neptune (maritime patrol aircraft)
• Helicopter:  Ka-31 AEW 
• Guns: AK 176 M, AK 630 CIWS, Oto Melara 76mm
• Submarines with nuclear-powered and diesel-powered energies, such as the Scorpene class
• Others include: Torpedoes, AIP(Air Independent Propulsion) 
• Aircraft Carriers: INS Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya
• Frigates: Shivalik, Talwar and Nilgiri
• Destroyers: Delhi, Kolkata and Rajput
• Corvettes: Kamorta, Kora, Veer

Role in Maritime Security-

• These frigates have a significant role in maritime safeguarding because of India’s national interests, regional stability and global trade. 
• They are efficient in protecting against submarine or aerial attacks that are intended to harm the country’s peace. 
• Safeguarding the Indian Ocean Region from crimes or enemy threats.
• Most importantly, the frigates were meant to secure Exclusive Economic Zones for trade routes and show the strength of the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Previous Frigates vs New Frigates-

• The previous frigates were of 6,200 tonnes, whereas the new ones are of 6,600 tonnes.
• The previous frigates have basic radar technology; meanwhile, the new frigates have enhanced techniques with reduced radar, acoustic, and infrared signatures.
• More advanced missiles and systems are embedded in new frigates. Old frigates have outdated radar and sonar technology. 
• The previous battleship had one helicopter capability, whereas the new frigate has two multi-role helicopters (MH 60R and HAL Dhruv).
• Earlier, the project was moderately indigenous. However, the new frigates have 75% components from the Make in India initiative, empowering 200 MSMEs.
• More manual power was required in previous frigates. In frigates, systems are automated, reducing workload.
• The damage control system was limited in previous vessels, while the new one has compartmentalisation and advanced damage control systems.

FAQs-