SYLLABUS

GS-3: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Context: 

Recently, the Indian Navy simultaneously commissioned two stealth frigates of Project 17A, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at the Eastern Naval Command base, Visakhapatnam.

More on the News

• This marks the first simultaneous commissioning of two frontline surface combatants built indigenously at two different shipyards.
• Defence Minister announced that INS Tamal will be the last foreign-built ship of the Indian Navy, as all future naval ships will be constructed indigenously in India to achieve self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.
• Both frigates feature approximately 75% indigenous content, supported by over 200 MSMEs and generating thousands of jobs.
• Both frigates will join the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command.

About INS Udaygiri

• It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, and it is the 100th warship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), marking a milestone in indigenous warship design.
• It is known for being the fastest ship in her class to be delivered post-launch, owing to modular construction techniques adopted by Indian shipyards.
• It revives the legacy of the earlier INS Udaygiri (F35), which served the Indian Navy from 1976 to 2007 before decommissioning.
• The motto is ‘Sanyuktaha Paramojayaha,’ meaning in togetherness there is great victory.

About INS Himgiri

• It is constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, reflecting India’s multi-shipyard capacity for advanced warship building and it is the 101st warship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB)
• Designed as a follow-on ship of the Shivalik-class (Project 17) with enhanced stealth, advanced weapons, sensors, and modern propulsion systems.
• It revives the name of the  INS Himgiri (F34), which served from 1974 to 2005, carrying forward its legacy into India’s growing blue-water naval force.

Features of Udyagiri and Himagiri

• Stealth: Both frigates incorporate improved stealth features, reduced radar signatures, and advanced surveillance radars to minimise detection. 
• Propulsion: 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.
• Armament: Equipped with electronic warfare suites, supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles and rapid-fire gun systems.

Project 17A (Alpha)

• Project 17A (Alpha) refers to an Indian Navy initiative to build seven advanced, indigenous stealth guided missile frigates, designed to have improved stealth, weapons, and sensors.
• It was launched in 2019 and frigates are the follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates.
• A total of 7 frigates under Project 17A are under various stages of construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
• 7 Frigates of Project 17A: Nilgiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, Mahendragiri, and Vindhyagiri.

Source

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-udaygiri-and-ins-himgiri-commissioned-by-union-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-at-visakhapatnam/article69978776.ece https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Aug/26/indian-navy-commissions-ins-udaygiri-ins-himgiri-rajnath-singh-vows-all-future-warships-to-be-built-in-india https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2160941