On August 26, 2025, a historic event unfolded at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh officially commissioned two state-of-the-art stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri. Interestingly, Singh likened these warships to America's supersonic F-35 stealth multirole fighter jet.
He remarked that today you've witnessed the launch of indigenous F-35 warships. While one country boasts an airborne F-35, India has mastered a sea-faring counterpart, proudly made in India. This underscores India's growing naval prowess and the triumph of indigenous defense manufacturing.
F-35: Dubbed among the world's most advanced fighter jets, the F-35 excels in stealth technology, rendering it virtually invisible on radar. It boasts advanced avionics, powerful onboard computing systems, and integrated sensors, making it effective across air-to-air, air-to-ground, and diverse missions.
In the recent U.S.-Iran tensions, it proved invaluable. Rajnath Singh highlighted that INS Udaygiri and Himgiri are akin to invincible sea guardians, integrating over 75% indigenous materials crafted in collaboration with numerous Indian MSMEs, spawning thousands of jobs.
Source: aajtak
According to the Defense Minister, these ships' weaponry and sensor packages establish them as peerless sea protectors. They feature long-range surface-to-air missiles, supersonic BrahMos missiles, torpedo launchers, a combat management system, and an advanced fire control system.
Each frigate includes eight BrahMos missiles, capable of surface-to-surface and surface-to-air strikes, while the Barak-8 missiles ward off aerial threats. The Varun Astra torpedoes target submarine warfare, and the Kavach chaff and Mareech systems offer missile defense.
Project 17A: Introducing the remarkable Nilgiri-class frigates, INS Udaygiri and Himgiri were developed under Project 17A. An evolved iteration of Project 17 (Shivalik-class), they boast substantial improvements in design, stealth features, and weapons and sensor systems. Crafted for blue-water operations, they excel in deep-sea threat management.
Weighing 6,700 tons and spanning 149 meters, they achieve speeds up to 30 knots with a CODOD (Combined Diesel and Gas) propulsion system. INS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), marking the second ship under Project 17A.
Meanwhile, GRSE in Kolkata constructed INS Himgiri, the maiden ship of this project. This marks the first instance of two frontline surface combatants emerging simultaneously from separate shipyards. Both will fortify India's position within the Indian Ocean region.
These frigates draw inspiration from historical warship names. The original INS Udaygiri (F35) served from 1976 to 2007, while INS Himgiri (F34) rendered service from 1974 to 2005. Rajnath Singh emphasized that Udaygiri symbolizes the dawn's vigor, while Himgiri represents the enduring might of the Himalayas.
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and Himgiri signifies a milestone for the Indian Navy. Drawing parallels to the F-35 underscores India's capability to craft cutting-edge defense apparatus. This enhances naval strength and propels India's self-reliant vision, progressing towards Developed India 2047. These floating marvels will defend India's maritime boundaries and exhibit our prowess to the world.
