Indian Navy To Commission ‘Udaygiri’ And ‘Himgiri’ Stealth Frigates On The Same Day

The Indian Navy is planning for the simultaneous commissioning of its two frigates, the Udaygiri (F35) and Himgiri (F34).

This is the first time that two major surface combatants from two Indian shipyards are being commissioned at the same time at Visakhapatnam.

Udaygiri is the second vessel of Project 17 A Stealth Frigates, constructed by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai.

Himgiri is the first P17A ship being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

This shows the success of Make In India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives in the defence sector.

Udaygiri is also the 100th ship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.

The P17 A frigates displace 6700 tons and are 5% bigger than their predecessors, Shivalik-class frigates, yet incorporate a sleeker form with a reduced radar cross section.

They are propelled by Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants and have diesel engines and gas turbines, which drive controllable-pitch propellers managed through an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

They have supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76-mm MR Gun and a combination of 30-mm and 12.7-mm close-in weapon systems and anti-submarine/ underwater weapon systems.

Both vessels are the consequence of an industrial network covering more than 200 MSMEs, supporting around 4000 jobs and over 10,000 indirect jobs.

The commissioning of these vessels highlights the Indian Navy’s self-reliance and follows the
commissioning of other indigenous platforms, including destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri, submarine INS Vaghsheer, ASW Shallow Water Craft INS Arnala, and Diving Support Vessel INS Nistar, all in 2025.

Sea trials have taken place, assuring the frigates are ready for operational deployment. The upcoming ceremony in Visakhapatnam will be more than a naval ritual as it will be a celebration for the Indian Defence Sector’s tremendous strides towards independence and self-sufficiency.

Source: Maritime Shipping News