On August 26, 2025, in Visakhapatnam, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned two state-of-the-art stealth warships, INS Udaygiri and INS Himagiri, into the Indian Navy, underscoring a firm commitment to safeguarding India's borders and citizens.
These warships were indigenously developed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. During the event, the Defense Minister referenced the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent launch of Operation Sindoor.
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Operation Sindoor: India's Answer to Terrorism
The Defense Minister recounted the Pahalgam terrorist attack, where militants asked for the victims' religion before executing innocent civilians. He stated the attack was meant to provoke us, but India responded with precise and calculated retaliation without succumbing to provocation, launching and successfully executing Operation Sindoor to annihilate terrorist hideouts.
He explained that the swift actions of the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor showcased India's preparedness globally. Our armed forces demonstrated how decisively we can act when necessary. The Navy's strategic planning and rapid deployment of warships proved critical in this operation.
India's Policy: Neither Aggression nor Retraction
The Defense Minister clarified that India has never believed in aggression, yet we know how to retaliate when attacked. The world knows we've never attacked another nation first, but that doesn't mean we will back down. When our security is threatened, we retaliate fiercely.
INS Udaygiri and Himagiri: The Navy's New Strength
Describing the induction of INS Udaygiri and Himagiri as more than just an enhancement of the naval fleet, the Defense Minister stated that these warships are a testament to India's capability and readiness to defend its maritime frontiers, ready to respond swiftly under any situation.
Source: aajtak
Elaborating on the power of these ships, he noted that they are outfitted with BrahMos supersonic missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, indigenous rockets, torpedo launchers, a combat management system, and a fire control system. He expressed confidence that these vessels would prove to be game-changers on complex and risky sea missions.
A Symbol of Self-Reliant India
The Defense Minister heralded these warships as a milestone in India's indigenous defense manufacturing. INS Udaygiri is the 100th ship designed by our Warship Design Bureau, with over 75% of its components sourced from Indian manufacturers and MSMEs. This commissioning marks not just a technical achievement but a transformative movement.
Congratulating MDL and GRSE, he emphasized that innovation and self-reliance established a benchmark as they built these ships. These warships are emblems of trust, commitment, and reaching new heights.
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Navy: Pillar of National Security and Economic Stability
The Defense Minister acclaimed the Indian Navy as a symbol of India's maritime power, crucial not only for national security but also for economic stability. Our energy needs depend on the safety of sea routes. The Navy does much more than patrol; it forms the foundation of our national economic security.
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and Himagiri is a historic moment for the Indian Navy. Through Operation Sindoor, India displayed its military might and resolve. With these stealth warships, the Navy will strengthen its position in the Indian Ocean, not only safeguarding India's maritime borders but also realizing the dream of a self-reliant India.
