India's maritime power in the Indian Ocean has been further strengthened. On Tuesday, at the naval base in Visakhapatnam, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducted the state-of-the-art Project 17A multi-mission stealth frigate Udaygiri and Himagiri into the Indian Navy.
Visakhapatnam: India's maritime power has now become even ber. On Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducted the state-of-the-art Project 17A multi-mission stealth frigates – Udaygiri and Himagiri – into the Indian Navy at the naval base in Visakhapatnam. This is the first occasion when frontline surface warships built at two different shipyards have been commissioned simultaneously.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the induction of these warships will enhance the Navy's combat readiness and reaffirm India's commitment to self-reliant warship construction. Furthermore, it will strengthen the protection and surveillance capabilities of Indian maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi said
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi said that providing substantial force at sea in this era of uncertainty and competition is a credible deterrent to India's enemies. The rapid deployment and aggressive posture of our naval units during Operation Sindoor forced Pakistan to cease kinetic action.
He also stated that Operation Sindoor has not ended, as previously assured from INS Vikrant, and can be resumed if necessary.
Technical Specifications of Udaygiri and Himagiri
- Construction: Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai, and Himagiri was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata.
- Weight and Size: Both ships weigh approximately 6,700 tons and are 149 meters long (approximately equivalent to a 15-story building).
- Speed and Range: Their speed is up to 52 km/h, and they can cover a distance of over 10,000 km on a single refueling.
- Stealth Technology: Difficult to detect on enemy radar due to radar-absorbent material and angled design.
- BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile: Capable of attacking both sea and land targets from a distance of 290+ km.
- Air Defence: Ability to shoot down drones and missiles.
- Anti-Submarine Weapons and Sonar Systems: Capable of detecting submarines in deep water.
- Helicopter Operations: Can carry Sea King helicopters, which are capable of detecting surface ships and submarines.
Project 17A and a Step Forward for Self-Reliant India
Udaygiri is the 100th design of the Navy's Warship Design Bureau and is larger and more advanced than the Shivalik-class frigate. These ships, built under Project 17A, have significant improvements in stealth technology, weapons, and sensor systems. More than 200 Indian companies contributed to the construction of these warships, providing direct employment to over 4,000 people and indirect employment to over 10,000. This has strengthened India's Make in India and self-reliant India vision.
According to the Navy, other indigenous vessels such as the destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri, submarine INS Vaghsir, and other auxiliary vessels will be launched in 2025.
