INS Udaygiri and Himgiri Commissioned: A Giant Leap for Indigenous Naval Power
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned two of India’s most advanced warships, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, into active service in Vishakapatnam on Tuesday. For the first time ever, two frontline surface combatants, built at two different shipyards, entered service together. The atmosphere carried more than ceremonial weight. It was a statement of India’s determination to safeguard its seas, extend its blue-water reach, and rely increasingly on its own shipbuilding expertise.Reviving Legendary NamesThe names Udaygiri and Himgiri carry deep naval history. The first INS Udaygiri served the Navy from 1976 to 2007, while the original INS Himgiri sailed from 1974 to 2005. Both earlier ships were proud symbols of India’s maritime strength during their time. Their successors are far more advanced, stealthier, stronger, and designed for multi-mission roles, but they also carry forward a legacy of loyalty and service. For sailors who once served on the older ships, this moment was an emotional reunion of sorts: old names reborn with new power.The Project 17A LeapBoth frigates are part of the Project 17A Nilgiri class, the follow-on to the Shivalik class. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, which has shaped Indian warship design for over five decades, they represent a leap in naval technology. For the Navy, there is special symbolism: INS Udaygiri is the 100th ship designed by the bureau. This milestone reflects how far India has come in building modern warships indigenously.Frigates: The Versatile Workhorses of Modern NaviesA frigate is a type of warship that combines speed, versatility, and endurance, making it one of the most important assets of any modern navy. Larger than a corvette but smaller than a destroyer, a frigate is designed to carry out multiple roles at sea. It can operate independently or as part of a larger fleet, which is why navies like India’s rely heavily on these ships. Frigates are known for their ability to perform diverse missions. They escort aircraft carriers and larger vessels, protect vital sea routes and merchant convoys, and carry out anti-submarine warfare using sonar, torpedoes, and onboard helicopters. At the same time, they are equipped with advanced anti-air and anti-surface systems, including missiles, naval guns, and electronic warfare technology. Their balance of firepower, speed, and stealth makes them essential in both peace and wartime operations.Built in Mumbai and Kolkata: A Dual TriumphINS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL) in Mumbai. Remarkably, it holds the record as the fastest ship of its class to be delivered after launch, thanks to modular construction techniques. INS Himgiri emerged from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, becoming the first of her class from that yard. The parallel construction at two different shipyards reflects not only efficiency but also the expanding industrial base of India’s naval shipbuilding sector.Bigger, Quieter, Harder to DetectThe new frigates displace about 6,700 tonnes, making them slightly larger than their predecessors, but the added size has been put to intelligent use. Their stealth-focused design incorporates angled surfaces and flush-mounted weapons to reduce radar visibility, while infrared suppression systems cut down heat emissions. Improved acoustic dampening lowers underwater noise, and the use of composite materials further reduces detectability. In modern naval warfare, invisibility is often the biggest weapon, and these frigates are built to remain hidden until it is too late for an adversary to respond. When it comes to performance, the ships are powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) system. Diesel engines handle long-range cruising, while powerful gas turbines deliver bursts of speed during combat. This dual system enables the frigates to achieve speeds of over 28 knots (more than 50 km/h) with an impressive endurance of 5,500 nautical miles. Their efficiency is further enhanced by an Integrated Platform Management System, which links propulsion, power, and auxiliary machinery, allowing the crew to control the ship’s entire operational core with precision.Pride Beyond SteelBehind the statistics and systems are thousands of engineers, designers, shipyard workers, and sailors who turned drawings into steel giants. From welders in Mumbai and Kolkata to officers preparing for their first sail, this is as much a human story as it is a technological one. For young naval cadets, seeing two ships commissioned together is a reminder that they are part of a Navy on the rise. For families of sailors, these frigates symbolize not just strength at sea, but safety and security at home. The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri is more than a naval event; it’s a reflection of India’s strategic intent.Stronger presence in the Indian Ocean at a time of rising maritime competition. Boost to indigenous defence manufacturing, with 75% of the content made in India. Enhanced blue-water capability, enabling India to operate far from its shores with confidence. In Rajnath Singh’s words, these frigates are not just ships but “game-changers” in securing India’s future at sea.Sailing into the FutureAs the Indian tricolor was raised on INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri in Visakhapatnam, it wasn’t just the commissioning of two stealth frigates. It was the commissioning of confidence—India’s confidence in its ability to protect, project, and prosper at sea. These ships are more than war machines. They are symbols of national pride, technological progress, and the collective spirit of a nation determined to chart its own course on the world’s oceans.