On August 26th, the Indian Navy will induct two advanced stealth warships, Udaygiri (F35) and Himgiri (F34), into its fleet. These two state-of-the-art warships will be handed over to the Navy during a commissioning ceremony in Visakhapatnam.
New Delhi: The Indian Navy is continuously inducting new and modern warships into its fleet to enhance its strength and strategic capabilities. In this series, two state-of-the-art stealth frigates, Udaygiri (F35) and Himgiri (F34), will be inducted into the Indian Navy on August 26th. These two warships will be handed over to the Navy at a special commissioning ceremony held in Visakhapatnam.
Udaygiri and Himgiri: An Introduction to Indigenous Warships
- Udaygiri and Himgiri are both stealth frigates built under Project 17A, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and weapons according to the needs of the Indian Navy.
- Udaygiri is the second warship of Project 17A, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
- Himgiri is the first warship of this project, constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) based in Kolkata.
- This is the first time that two prestigious indigenous shipbuilders are commissioning warships together at the same location, which reflects India's self-reliance in maritime security.
Technical and Strategic Strength
1. Size and Stealth Design
Both frigates are approximately 5% larger than the older Shivalik-class warships and weigh approximately 6,700 tons. Their specialty is the stealth design, which allows these warships to hide from radar and other electronic surveillance systems, and deceive enemies. The CODOG (Combined Diesel Or Gas) powertrain technology of these ships allows them to run on both diesel and gas fuels, giving them both speed and flexibility at sea.
2. Weapons and Security System
Udaygiri and Himgiri are equipped with a variety of state-of-the-art weapons:
- Surface-to-surface supersonic missiles – to destroy enemy ships.
- Medium-range surface-to-air missiles – for air defense.
- 76 mm MR Gun – a multipurpose gun system that can be used for both surface and air targets.
- 30 mm and 12.7 mm Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) – defense against rocket and missile attacks.
- Anti-submarine weapons – protection against enemy submarines.
With the help of these weapons, these frigates are not only proficient in naval combat, but also, due to the high level of defense system, enemy ships or missiles cannot come close to them.
A Strong Example of Self-Reliant India
The Indian Navy's press release stated that these warships have proven successful in rigorous maritime trials. Their structures, machinery, firefighting, damage control, navigation, and communication systems are fully ready for deployment. This commissioning ceremony highlights the Indian Navy's commitment to a self-reliant India.
Several other indigenous ships and warships have also been inducted into the Indian Navy this year, which are strengthening the country's maritime security and strategic position. These include:
- Destroyer INS Surat
- Frigate INS Nilgiri
- Submarine INS Vagsheer
- Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette INS Arnala
- Diving Support Vessel INS Nistar
All these ships enhance the multi-dimensional capabilities of the Indian Navy, helping to broaden the country's security and strategic influence.
The Strength of the Indian Navy in a Global Perspective
The Indian Navy not only protects the Indian maritime borders but also plays an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. Modern stealth frigates like Udaygiri and Himgiri, equipped with indigenous technologies and weapons, will help enhance the impact of India's maritime power globally.
The capabilities of these warships establish India as a b and self-reliant maritime power, fully prepared to play its important role in the regional and global security mechanism.
