Two multi-mission stealth frigates of Project 17A – INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri - were commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh at the Naval Base, Visakhapatnam on August 26, 2025. It was for the first time that two frontline surface combatants indigenously constructed by two different shipyards - Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai [INS Udaygiri] and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata [INS Himgiri] - were commissioned simultaneously. Equipped with next-gen weapons & systems, the INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri to enhance Navy’s ability to safeguard national interests across a full spectrum of maritime missions.
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| Stealth frigates INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri Commissioned into Indian Navy in Vizag |
Stealth frigates INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri Commissioned into Indian Navy
Two multi-mission stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri were commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh at the Naval Base, Visakhapatnam on August 26, 2025.
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Equipped with next-gen weapons & systems, the INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri to enhance Navy’s ability to safeguard national interests across a full spectrum of maritime missions.
These frigates, which will enhance the capability of the Indian Navy, send a message that India is fully capable of protecting its maritime borders and is ready to respond immediately to any challenge or situation.
The induction of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri not only strengthens the Indian Navy’s combat potential but reinforces its role as a “First Responder” and “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region.
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INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri follow INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the successor class to Project 17 (Shivalik class). They incorporate improved stealth features, reduced radar signatures, advanced surveillance radars and electronic warfare suites, supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles and rapid-fire gun systems. Both ships feature Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion plants and a state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System, enabling higher speeds and improved fuel efficiency.
These are the 100th and 101st warships designed in-house by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy, and built in India, reflecting the Navy’s continuous effort to enhance indigenous content and self-reliance. High indigenous content — exceeding 75% — has been achieved through the participation of numerous MSMEs and the procurement of major weapons and sensors from Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers.
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Who constructed the stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri?
It was for the first time that two frontline surface combatants indigenously constructed by two different shipyards - Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai [INS Udaygiri] and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata [INS Himgiri] - were commissioned simultaneously.
About INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri
In keeping with the Navy’s tradition of rechristening new ships after their illustrious predecessors, the new Udaygiri and Himgiri carry forward the proud names of earlier frigates that served the nation for decades.
The modern Udaygiri pays tribute to the erstwhile INS Udaygiri, which was in commission from 1976 to 2007, while Himgiri honours the erstwhile Himgiri that served from 1974 to 2005. The commissioning of the new ships thus links India’s rich maritime heritage with promising future aspirations.
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INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri frigates will join the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command, significantly enhancing India’s ability to respond rapidly to maritime contingencies and to secure sea lanes in the Bay of Bengal and beyond.
INS Udaygiri’s keel was laid on May 07, 2019 and the ship was launched on May 17, 2022. INS Himgiri’s keel laid on November 10, 2018 and the ship was launched on December 14, 2020.
INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri ships underwent a comprehensive schedule of trials in harbour and at sea prior delivery to the Indian Navy on July 01, 2025 and July 31, 2025 respectively. The balance four ships of the Class are at various stages of construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) & Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and would be delivered to the Indian Navy by mid-2026.
Static Current Affairs related to Indian Navy for upcoming exams
- Formation: 26 January 1950 (as current service); 5 September 1612 (as East India Company's Marine)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Navy Day: 4 December
- Commander-in-Chief: President Droupadi Murmu
- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): General Anil Chauhan
- Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
- Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS): Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan
- Notable Commanders: Admiral S. M. Nanda, Admiral Sourendra Nath Kohli and Admiral Ram Dass Katari
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