Taking another significant step towards India's self-reliance, the Indian Navy is set to receive two modern warships today. INS Udaygiri and INS Himagiri will be inducted into the naval fleet at a historic ceremony held in Visakhapatnam.
New Delhi: Today is a historic day for the Indian Navy, as it is going to receive two modern warships, INS Udaygiri and INS Himagiri, simultaneously. Both ships will be officially inducted into the naval fleet at 2:45 PM. This is the first time that warships built in two different Indian shipyards are being handed over to the Navy on the same day.
With the addition of these warships, India will have three frigate squadrons ready, which will bly demonstrate indigenous technology, industrial capability, and self-reliance. Notably, INS Udaygiri, a Nilgiri-class stealth frigate, was handed over on July 1st, while INS Himagiri, an advanced stealth frigate built under Project-17A, was handed over to the Navy on July 31st.
Special Features of Indigenous Warships
INS Udaygiri has been built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, while INS Himagiri has been constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. Both warships have been built under Project 17A and are equipped with state-of-the-art stealth technology. Under this project, ships are designed to evade detection by enemy radar, infrared, and acoustic sensors.
INS Udaygiri is named after the Udayagiri mountain range in Andhra Pradesh and was completed in just 37 months. Meanwhile, INS Himagiri is named after the Indian Navy's former INS Himagiri, which served for decades.
1. Design and Technical Specifications
Both warships weigh approximately 6,670 tonnes and are 149 meters long. They are about as tall as a 15-story building. Their maximum speed is 52 kilometers per hour, and they can travel over 10,000 kilometers on a single refueling. The warships are designed to be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, enabling them to face any challenge at sea.
They are equipped with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which can accurately target both land and sea targets up to a distance of 290 kilometers. In addition, these warships are capable of shooting down enemy missiles and drones approaching from very close range.
2. Helicopter and Anti-Submarine Warfare Capability
INS Udaygiri and INS Himagiri can also operate Sea King helicopters. These helicopters are highly effective in searching for and destroying submarines and surface ships. Additionally, the warships are equipped with advanced sonar systems that can detect submarines hidden in the deep sea. The construction of these warships involved the participation of over 200 MSME companies.
This process has provided direct employment to approximately 4,000 people. This has not only strengthened the country's naval capabilities but has also given a new impetus to India's defense industry.
