In a significant milestone for India’s naval defence capability, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd delivered INS Himgiri, a state-of-the-art guided-missile stealth frigate, to the Indian Navy on Thursday. The warship is the first of three frigates being built by GRSE under Project 17A as part of a ₹21,833 crore contract aimed at strengthening the Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
Designed for multi-dimensional warfare, INS Himgiri can counter threats from air, surface, and underwater domains. The 149-metre-long warship displaces 6,670 tonnes and is fitted with some of the most advanced systems developed indigenously, reaffirming India’s progress toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The ship is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for land and maritime strike roles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles for aerial defence, and advanced AESA radar systems. It also features a high level of automation, real-time combat management tools, and helicopter operations capability from its dedicated aviation deck. A Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion system ensures superior speed, endurance, and manoeuvrability. The vessel carries a complement of 225 personnel.
The delivery of Himgiri significantly boosts India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat drive, with high indigenous content and major contributions from MSMEs, OEMs, and start-ups across the country. GRSE’s achievement reflects the robust growth of India’s domestic shipbuilding ecosystem and defence industrial base.
Himgiri is the 801st vessel and the 112th warship built and delivered by GRSE, making it the most prolific warship builder in Indian history. The ship was formally accepted on behalf of the Indian Navy by Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Eastern Naval Command.
GRSE is currently working on 15 warships for the Indian Navy, including the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) Androth and the third Survey Vessel Large, Ikshak. Both vessels have completed sea trials and are due for delivery. The company has also emerged as the lowest bidder for the Indian Navy’s Next Generation Corvette (NGC) project and is expected to construct five new-generation corvettes.
The induction of INS Himgiri marks a decisive advancement in the Indian Navy’s pursuit of blue-water capabilities and reinforces India’s position as a rising maritime power in the Indo-Pacific region.
