India’s defence sector achieved a significant milestone on August 26, 2025, when the Indian Navy commissioned two advanced Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, into its fleet. The ceremony was held at the Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior naval officers, and distinguished guests. This dual induction marks a landmark in India’s indigenous warship-building programme under Project 17A, showcasing the nation’s growing ability to design and construct sophisticated naval assets domestically.

Project 17A – India’s advanced frigate programme

Project 17A is an ambitious programme under which seven state-of-the-art stealth frigates are being constructed by two leading Indian shipyards – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. These frigates are designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and incorporate advanced stealth technology, superior sensors, and versatile weapon systems.

The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri represents the first time two ships from Project 17A have been simultaneously inducted, symbolising India’s shipbuilding maturity and its ability to deliver world-class warships on time.

About INS Udaygiri

INS Udaygiri, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), is the second frigate of Project 17A and notably the 100th warship designed by the Warship Design Bureau. It is named after the Udaygiri mountain ranges in Andhra Pradesh, carrying forward a legacy after the first ship with the same name served from 1976 to 2007.

• Construction Timeline: Laid down in December 2017, re-launched in May 2022, and delivered in July 2025 – all within a record 37 months.

• Displacement: ~6,700 tonnes

• Stealth Features: Reduced radar cross-section, lower infrared signature, and quiet acoustic profile.

• Propulsion: Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) system, ensuring agility and endurance.

• Weapons:

  • BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles

  • Barak 8 long-range surface-to-air missiles

  • 76 mm main gun

  • Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)

  • Advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapons including rocket launchers and torpedoes.

• Indigenous Content: ~75%, incorporating Indian-made sensors, an Integrated Platform Management System, and locally manufactured weapons.

Beyond its combat potential, INS Udaygiri has also been a job generator, involving over 200 MSMEs and creating nearly 14,000 direct and indirect jobs.

About INS Himgiri

INS Himgiri, constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, is the first Project 17A frigate built at the yard. The ship revives the proud legacy of the original INS Himgiri, which served the Navy from 1974 to 2005.

• Construction Timeline: Launched in December 2020, delivered in July 2025.

• Displacement: ~6,670 tonnes

• Length: 149 metres

• Propulsion: CODOG system, capable of speeds over 28 knots, enabling long-duration blue-water missions.

• Weapons:

  • BrahMos missiles for anti-ship strikes

  • Barak 8 air defence system

  • Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)

  • Anti-submarine rocket launchers & torpedo tubes

  • Electronic Warfare systems for countermeasures.

• Aviation Capabilities: Flight deck and hangar supporting MH-60 Romeo, ALH Dhruv Mk-III, and Sea King helicopters, greatly expanding reconnaissance, ASW, and SAR (Search and Rescue) operations.

• Indigenous Content: Nearly 75%, showcasing India’s increasing self-reliance.

What is a Stealth Frigate?

A stealth frigate is a modern warship designed with low observability to evade detection by enemy radars, sonar, and infrared sensors. They incorporate angled hulls, radar-absorbing materials, reduced heat emissions, and noise suppression systems, making them harder to detect and target. These attributes give them a tactical advantage in combat scenarios, especially in modern network-centric warfare.

Strategic Importance for India

The induction of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri provides a major boost to India’s naval firepower, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, where maritime security challenges are growing. Both frigates are designed for multi-role operations, including:

• Anti-Air Warfare: Neutralising enemy aircraft and drones.

• Anti-Surface Warfare: Striking enemy warships.

• Anti-Submarine Warfare: Detecting and destroying submarines.

• Electronic Warfare: Countering hostile radar and missile systems.

With advanced sensors, aviation facilities, and combat systems, these ships can operate independently or as part of carrier battle groups.

Make in India and Defence Self-Reliance

Both INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri showcase the success of the Make in India initiative in defence manufacturing. By engaging hundreds of Indian MSMEs and indigenous suppliers, the project not only strengthens national security but also builds an ecosystem of advanced defence production.

Moreover, the Navy has increasingly focused on indigenous ship design, with more than 75% of naval assets being built in India. This reduces dependency on foreign suppliers, boosts employment, and ensures India becomes a global leader in warship construction.

Global Context and Geopolitical Impact

The commissioning of these frigates comes at a time when the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) faces heightened tensions due to piracy, territorial disputes, and power projection by foreign navies. With these stealth frigates, India enhances its deterrence capability and reinforces its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

Additionally, the presence of advanced aviation platforms like the MH-60 Romeo helicopter allows India to counter hostile submarines and strengthen maritime domain awareness, especially in contested waters.

Conclusion

The commissioning of INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri is not just a naval milestone but a symbol of India’s rising self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Equipped with cutting-edge stealth, advanced weaponry, and indigenous technology, these ships will play a pivotal role in securing India’s maritime interests, protecting sea lanes of communication, and countering both conventional and asymmetric threats.

As India continues to modernise its navy with platforms like aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines, the induction of these stealth frigates reaffirms the country’s ambition of building a blue-water navy capable of global reach and influence.

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