Indian Navy to Commission Two Indigenous Frigates Simultaneously at Visakhapatnam
Udaygiri and Himgiri mark a key milestone in Make in India naval modernisation
In a historic first, the Indian Navy is set to commission two frontline stealth frigates — Udaygiri (F35) and Himgiri (F34) — on the same day, August 26, at Visakhapatnam. This unprecedented event will see two major surface combatants, built by two leading Indian shipyards, entering service simultaneously, underscoring the nation’s expanding naval capabilities.
Udaygiri, the second Project 17A frigate, was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, while Himgiri is the first P17A ship built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. This dual commissioning highlights India’s capacity to deliver sophisticated warships from multiple indigenous sources — a concrete achievement of the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Adding to the significance, Udaygiri is the 100th ship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, reflecting decades of accumulated expertise in indigenous warship design.
Next-generation stealth and firepower
Displacing around 6,700 tonnes, the Project 17A frigates are a step ahead of their Shivalik-class predecessors. About five percent larger yet featuring a sleeker design, they boast a reduced radar cross-section enhancing their stealth capabilities.
Powered by Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants, these frigates utilize diesel engines and gas turbines driving controllable-pitch propellers managed by an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). Their weapons suite is comprehensive, including supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm multi-role gun, a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems, and advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The construction of both vessels involved a vast industrial ecosystem of over 200 MSMEs, generating roughly 4,000 direct jobs and over 10,000 indirect jobs — a boost for domestic manufacturing and employment.
A stride towards self-reliance
The commissioning of Udaygiri and Himgiri reinforces the Indian Navy’s drive for self-reliance in ship design and construction. This achievement comes amid a series of indigenous platform inductions in 2025, including destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri, submarine INS Vaghsheer, ASW shallow water craft INS Arnala, and diving support vessel INS Nistar.
Extensive sea trials have rigorously tested the frigates’ hull integrity, propulsion, firefighting, damage control, navigation, and communication systems, ensuring their readiness for operational deployment.
The Visakhapatnam commissioning ceremony will be more than a naval ritual — it will celebrate India’s progress in building a self-sufficient maritime defence ecosystem. As these two stealth frigates join the fleet, the message is clear: India’s oceans are defended by ships designed, built, and manned by Indians, embodying the spirit of Make in India and signalling India’s emergence as a major maritime power.