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In probably a first of its kind event, Indian Navy commissioned two stealth frigates together.

They are INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri.

On Tuesday the 26th of August 2025 at a glittering ceremony in Visakhapatnam at the Eastern Fleet’s naval base, the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had flown-in specially from New Delhi to personally witness a unique naval function.

Both the warships are multi-mission stealth frigates of Project 17A indigenously constructed by two different shipyards – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai [INS Udaygiri] and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata [INS Himgiri].

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/

The commissioning of the new ships thus links India’s rich maritime heritage with promising future aspirations.

The simultaneous induction of two major combatants highlights the Navy’s growing operational focus on the Eastern Seaboard.

Both 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.

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

In his address Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that these warships will not only strengthen the security system and safeguard maritime interests, but will also assist in Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief missions.

He stated that the commissioning bolsters India’s policy of Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security & Growth for All in the Region).

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 situation,” the Defence  Minister added.

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.

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.

Both 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 MDL & GRSE and would be delivered to the Indian Navy by mid-2026.