Prelims Bits
Historic Joint Commissioning
- Date & Venue: On 26 August 2025, both frigates will be commissioned simultaneously at Visakhapatnam’s Eastern Naval Command—the first time the Indian Navy is commissioning two frontline surface combatants together.
- The ceremony will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Project 17A (Nilgiri-Class)
- These ships are part of the Project 17A, a successor to the Shivalik-class (Project 17), with enhanced stealth, sensors, and modular construction.
- They displace around 6,700 tonnes, about 5% larger but more stealthy than their predecessors.
Builders & Milestones
- INS Udaygiri: Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai. Delivered on 1 July 2025 and marks the 100th ship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
- INS Himgiri: Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Delivered on 31 July 2025, and is the first P17A frigate from GRSE.
Features & Capabilities
- Propulsion & Management: Both vessels utilize a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) system paired with an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
- Armament & Combat Systems:
- BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles
- Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles
- 76 mm naval gun
- 30 mm & 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems
- Anti-submarine weapons, including Varunastra torpedoes and rocket launchers
- Stealth Enhancements: Features include reduced radar, infrared, and acoustic signatures, using composite materials, radar-absorbent coatings, enclosed decks, and infrared suppression systems.
- Indigenization & Economic Impact
- Both frigates showcase ~75% indigenous content, developed in collaboration with over 200 MSMEs, generating around 4,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs.
- Reflects a strategic push under “Make in India” and Aatmanirbhar Bharat toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
- Strategic Significance
- These frigates will bolster the Eastern Fleet and may join upcoming Carrier Battle Groups, expanding India’s Blue-Water maritime capabilities.
The dual commissioning underscores the synergy between Indian shipyards, accelerated modernization, and enhanced deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region.