INS Udaygiri, INS Himgiri commissioned into Indian Navy; Rajnath Singh calls them ‘shining examples of Aatmanirbharta’

New Delhi/Visakhapatnam: In a significant boost to India’s naval capabilities and indigenous shipbuilding programme, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday commissioned two advanced multi-mission stealth frigates namely - INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, into the Indian Navy at the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam.

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Marking a historic first, two frontline combatants constructed by different Indian shipyards were commissioned simultaneously. 'INS Udaygiri' has been built by 'Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, while 'INS Himgiri' has been delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata under the Navy’s ambitious Project 17A.

“These warships will not only strengthen our maritime security but also stand as a testimony to India’s shipbuilding prowess and self-reliance. INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri are shining examples of the Government’s firm resolve towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” Singh said. He added that self-reliance in defence was “no longer a slogan but a ground reality.”

Equipped with next-generation weapons, sensors and electronic warfare suites, the two frigates are capable of performing anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, besides humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Singh asserted that the commissioning reinforced India’s role as a “First Responder” and “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region.

“These frigates send out a clear message that India is capable of safeguarding its maritime borders and responding immediately to any situation, from piracy to disaster relief,” the minister noted.

The two vessels mark the 100th and 101st warships designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. With over 75 percent indigenous content, both frigates incorporate major systems and sensors sourced from Indian companies, including MSMEs and domestic defence manufacturers.

The ships feature improved stealth features, supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, advanced radars, rapid-fire gun systems and a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion plant for greater fuel efficiency and operational flexibility.

The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi hailed the double-commissioning as a milestone in India’s maritime journey. “With the induction of these ships, the Navy has strengthened its combat potential and demonstrated its ability to deliver overwhelming force at sea in today’s era of uncertainties,” he said.

Both frigates will be deployed with the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command, enhancing India’s operational reach in the Bay of Bengal and beyond.

The new frigates carry forward the legacy of their illustrious predecessors – INS Udaygiri (1976–2007) and INS Himgiri (1974–2005). Their induction underscores India’s growing naval ambitions and confidence in indigenous shipbuilding at par with global standards.

The keel for INS Udaygiri was laid in May 2019 and for INS Himgiri in November 2018. Following extensive sea trials, the ships were delivered to the Navy in July 2025. The remaining four frigates under Project 17A are expected to join the fleet by mid-2026.

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