Visakhapatnam: In a historic first, the Indian Navy on Tuesday commissioned two state-of-the-art stealth frigates—INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri—at its Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the ceremony.
This marks the first-ever simultaneous induction of two frontline surface combatants built at different shipyards, reflecting both India’s expanding naval capabilities and the growing importance of the eastern seaboard.
Cutting-Edge Warships
Part of the Project 17A class, the new frigates are advanced successors to the Shivalik-class warships. They feature improved stealth, modern weapons, and sensor systems, making them capable of undertaking the full spectrum of blue-water operations.
- INS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), Mumbai.
- INS Himgiri was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Udaygiri holds the distinction of being the fastest-delivered ship of its class thanks to modular construction techniques adopted by Indian shipyards.
Honouring Legacy
In line with naval tradition, the new frigates revive the legacy of earlier ships bearing the same names—INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34)—that served the nation with distinction for over three decades before decommissioning.
Multi-mission stealth frigates – INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri – commissioned into @indiannavy in the presence of Raksha Mantri @rajnathsingh in Vizag
Equipped with next-gen weapons & systems, the ships to enhance Navy’s ability to safeguard national interests across full spectrum… pic.twitter.com/GrFd87axdf
— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 26, 2025
Indigenous Strength
Both vessels were designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB)—with Udaygiri being its 100th design, a milestone in five decades of indigenous warship development.
Powered by advanced Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion systems, the frigates feature an Integrated Platform Management System and cutting-edge weapons and sensors sourced largely from Indian manufacturers. With 75% indigenous content, supported by hundreds of MSMEs, the ships embody the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Strategic Edge
The commissioning of these frigates significantly enhances the combat readiness of the Navy. Both ships will join the Eastern Fleet, bolstering India’s maritime reach and ability to safeguard its strategic interests across the Indian Ocean Region.
