As a testimony to India’s growing shipbuilding prowess and its march towards self-reliance, two multi-mission stealth frigates of Project 17A – INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri - were commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at the Naval Base, Visakhapatnam on August 26, 2025. It was for the first time that two frontline surface combatants indigenously constructed by two different shipyards - Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai [INS Udaygiri] and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata [INS Himgiri] - were commissioned simultaneously.

In his address, Raksha Mantri exuded confidence that these warships will not only strengthen the security system and safeguard maritime interests, but will also assist in Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief missions. He stated that the commissioning bolsters India’s policy of Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security & Growth for All in the Region). These frigates, which will enhance the capability of the Indian Navy, send a message that India is fully capable of protecting its maritime borders and is ready to respond immediately to any situation,” he added.

Aatmanirbhar Navy

            INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri follow INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the successor class to Project 17 (Shivalik class). They incorporate improved stealth features, reduced radar signatures, advanced surveillance radars and electronic warfare suites, supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles and rapid-fire gun systems. Both ships feature Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion plants and a state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System, enabling higher speeds and improved fuel efficiency.

            These are the 100^th and 101^st warships designed in-house by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy, and built in India, reflecting the Navy’s continuous effort to enhance indigenous content and self-reliance. High indigenous content — exceeding 75% — has been achieved through the participation of numerous MSMEs and the procurement of major weapons and sensors from Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers.

            Raksha Mantri described the commissioning as a giant stride towards the realisation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and a proof of the Government’s vision & commitment. “INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri are the shining examples of the Government’s firm resolve towards self-reliance, symbols of a transformative movement, and testament to the vision that the nation will touch greater heights & obtain the goal of self-reliance with concerted efforts of all stakeholders,” he said, commending the seamless collaboration between MDL and GRSE in constructing and delivering the two potent warships.

Blue Water Navy

            The multi-mission frigates are crucial operational enablers that will enhance the Navy’s ability to safeguard national interests across the full spectrum of maritime missions. They are equipped with next-generation weapons, sensors and integrated platform management systems, are ready to perform anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, sea-control and humanitarian operations.

            Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that the commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri not only strengthens the Navy’s combat potential but reinforces its role as a “First Responder” and “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region. “From combating piracy, fighting against smuggling and illegal trafficking, curbing maritime terrorism, or providing relief after a natural disaster, these warships will prove to be a game-changer in complex and risky operations,” he said.

            Raksha Mantri dubbed the Indian Navy as a symbol of India’s maritime power as it is safeguarding the country’s interests amidst the Naval activities being witnessed from Arabian Sea to Middle East and eastern African seaboard. “The geo-strategic condition is such that it has the capability to directly impact our economic development. Our energy requirements, oil and natural gas depend to a large extent on the security of this region. Our Navy has emerged as a major pillar of our national economic security,” he said.

Ever-ready Navy

            Appreciating the prompt planning and execution of the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that “the adversary realises the strength and capability of our Navy and what it can do”. He termed the seamless synergy among the three Services and other security agencies/departments during the operation as a proof that the nation stands united in every challenge and tackles it effectively.

            “India does not believe in aggressive expansionism. We never attack any country or provoke anyone. But, this doesn’t mean we bow before those who mean to harm us. When our security is threatened, we know how to give a befitting reply. Innocent civilians were killed in Pahalgam. We gave an effective, measured and precise response through Operation Sindoor. We pledged to destroy terrorist hideouts and successfully achieved our goals. I want to reiterate that the operation is not over, it is merely a pause. Today, the entire nation is united against terrorism under the leadership of PM Modi, and this national unity, discipline, sacrifice & dedication are our real strength,” added Raksha Mantri.

Future-ready Navy

            On the rapidly-evolving nature of warfare, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that new technologies, strategies and equipment are being witnessed in every conflict, and it has become necessary to not only keep updating oneself, but also explore the unexplored and achieve the unexpected. “Old thinking won’t work in today's era. We need to anticipate new threats and keep finding solutions, which is why our government is giving priority to research and development in the defence sector. Earlier, only a few countries were manufacturing high-tech equipment, which now India is producing on its own soil,” he said.

            Raksha Mantri voiced the Government’s unwavering resolve to strengthen the Armed Forces under a futuristic vision, terming it as a big achievement of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign. “Today, we are protecting not only land, sea and sky, but also space, cyberspace, economic space and social space. Self-reliance is no longer just a slogan; it is becoming a ground reality. And this is due to the hard work of our scientists, officers of the Armed Forces and every person who works diligently day and night,” he stated.

            Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi described the double-commissioning as a clear testimony to the continued progress and dynamic expansion of India’s maritime power. He also highlighted the Indian Navy’s ability to deliver overwhelming force from the sea in the present age of uncertainties and competition, terming it as a credible deterrence against the nation’s enemies. “We demonstrated this brilliantly during Operation Sindoor when swift deployment and aggressive posturing of our units, effectively constrained the Pakistan Navy, and forced them to request a cease of kinetic actions,” he said.

            Recalling PM Modi’s call for manufacturing indigenous equipment to generate uniqueness and a surprise element in the security apparatus of the country, the Chief of the Naval Staff stated that INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri, with over 75% indigenous content, are milestones on the road to achieving self-reliance in defence production.

            Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi congratulated the Commanding Officers of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, and the Commissioning Crew, who have worked tirelessly shoulder to shoulder with all the stakeholders to achieve this important milestone.

            Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, other senior officers of the Navy and naval veterans were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

More about INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri

In keeping with the Navy’s tradition of rechristening new ships after their illustrious predecessors, the new Udaygiri and Himgiri carry forward the proud names of earlier frigates that served the nation for decades. The modern Udaygiri pays tribute to the erstwhile INS Udaygiri, which was in commission from 1976 to 2007, while Himgiri honours the erstwhile Himgiri that served from 1974 to 2005. The commissioning of the new ships thus links India’s rich maritime heritage with promising future aspirations.

The simultaneous induction of two major combatants highlights the Navy’s growing operational focus on the Eastern Seaboard. Both frigates will join the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command, significantly enhancing India’s ability to respond rapidly to maritime contingencies and to secure sea lanes in the Bay of Bengal and beyond.

The event underscored India’s growing confidence in its indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and reaffirmed its resolve to build and operate complex platforms at par with global standards. With the induction of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, the Indian Navy has added two potent multi-mission frigates to its order of battle, further strengthening the nation’s maritime posture and capability to project power and provide security across the Indian Ocean Region.

INS Udaygiri’s keel was laid on May 07, 2019 and the ship was launched on May 17, 2022. INS Himgiri’s keel laid on November 10, 2018 and the ship was launched on December 14, 2020. Both ships underwent a comprehensive schedule of trials in harbour and at sea prior delivery to the Indian Navy on July 01, 2025 and July 31, 2025 respectively. The balance four ships of the Class are at various stages of construction at MDL & GRSE and would be delivered to the Indian Navy by mid-2026.

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VK/VM/Savvy