The Indian Navy will commission two frontline stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34), on August 26 in Visakhapatnam, marking the first-ever joint induction of major surface combatants built by different Indian shipyards.
INS Udaygiri, the second ship of the Project 17A class, has been constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, while INS Himgiri, the first of the same class from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, will join the fleet alongside it.
The Project 17A frigates are upgraded versions of the Shivalik-class, each displacing about 6,700 tons with stealth features to reduce radar signature. They are powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system using both diesel engines and gas turbines, managed through an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
Their armament includes supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm main gun, 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems, and advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Udaygiri also holds the distinction of being the 100th ship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
Both ships were built with the involvement of over 200 MSMEs, creating around 4,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs. They have successfully completed extensive sea trials, testing machinery, navigation systems, fire safety, and damage control capabilities.
This milestone supports the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, joining other naval platforms commissioned in 2025, including INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, INS Vaghsheer, INS Arnala, and INS Nistar.
