Defence Minister to Commission Stealth Frigates Udaygiri & Himgiri

Visakhapatnam, Aug 26 (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to oversee the commissioning of two advanced multi-mission stealth frigates, Udaygiri and Himgiri, by the Indian Navy at the Eastern Naval Command on Tuesday. These state-of-the-art vessels are part of Project 17A and mark the first instance of two frontline surface combatants being commissioned simultaneously from separate shipyards.

This significant event highlights the increasing maritime importance of India's eastern coastline. The Indian Navy announced on X late Monday, "Two state-of-the-art combatant platforms join the Indian Navy fleet, fortifying India’s strength at sea. RM [Defence Minister] Rajnath Singh will preside over this momentous commission ceremony."

As follow-on ships to the Project 17 (Shivalik) class frigates, Udaygiri and Himgiri boast significant enhancements in design, stealth capabilities, and weaponry, making them adept at executing a full spectrum of maritime missions in 'blue water' scenarios. Udaygiri, constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, is the second Project 17A stealth frigate. Meanwhile, Himgiri, the first of the P17A class, was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. Both epitomize a generational advancement over previous designs.

Udaygiri also distinguishes itself as the fastest ship of her class to be delivered post-launch, thanks to the modular construction methodology employed by Indian shipyards. Displacing around 6,700 tons, the P17A class frigates are approximately five percent larger than their Shivalik-class predecessors and feature a sleek design with a reduced radar cross section. They are equipped with an array of advanced weapons and sensors developed domestically.

The frigates' weapons suite includes supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm MR Gun, and a range of close-in weapon systems. An additional milestone for the Indian Navy, Udaygiri represents the 100th ship designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB), a testament to five decades of indigenous warship design.

Both ships are the products of an extensive industrial ecosystem involving over 200 MSMEs, supporting about 4,000 direct and more than 10,000 indirect jobs. This underscores India's rapid naval modernization and capability to produce sophisticated warships across different shipyards.

With 75 percent indigenous content, the frigates align with India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision in defense manufacturing.

The commissioning of Udaygiri and Himgiri will enhance the Navy’s operational readiness, reinforcing India's commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in warship design and construction. Once commissioned, these frigates will join the Eastern Fleet, bolstering India's capacity to protect its maritime interests throughout the Indian Ocean Region, according to a Ministry of Defence press release on Monday.

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