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Indian Navy Commissions Stealth Frigates INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri - India’s New Covert Sea Guardians
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today (August 26, 2025) commissioned two multi-mission stealth frigates, the INS Udaygiri (F35) and the INS Himgiri (F34), into the Indian Navy at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.
Today's dual induction marks the first-ever simultaneous commissioning of two frontline surface warships built at different shipyards, underscoring India's growing maritime strength and the rising strategic focus on India's Eastern Fleet.
Both the INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri are part of the India Navy's Project 17A or the Nilgiri Class, a follow-on to the Shivalik Class frigates. The Nigiri class frigates are designed for enhanced stealth, speed, endurance, and versatile mission roles.
INS Udaygiri, the second frigate of the Nilgiri Class, was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai and delivered to the Navy on July 1, 2025. The INS Udaygiri is the 100th ship designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau.
INS Himgiri is the first of the Nilgiri Class to be built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata. The Himgiri completed its sea trials in March 2025 and was delivered to the Navy on July 31.
Both frigates displace around 6,700 tonnes, which is around five per cent larger than the Shivalik class. Their stealthier designs and advanced technology help reduce the radar visibility of the frigates while also giving the Navy longer reach and stronger mission capability.
The stealth frigates are powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system. The CODOG system uses diesel engines for cruising and gas turbines for the speedy stuff. The frigates, which can reach a top speed of 28 knots(almost 52km/h), feature an Integrated Platform Management System that allows for automated control for the shared diesel and gas systems.
INS Udaygiri Image Source: @indiannavy on X
Both the INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri come armed to the teeth for both offensive and defensive. Both feature Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles for sea and shore targets and Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles.
Both frigates also get anti-submarine Syhena light-weight torpedoes and RBU-6000 anti-sub rocket launchers along with a Melara 76mm naval main gun, 4 AK630M automatic rotary cannon CIWS and 2 12.7mm stabilised remote control guns. Electronic warfare suites and advanced radars add detection and counter-threat capability across multiple domains.
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The commissioning of Udaygiri and Himgiri caps a year of major inductions for the Navy, which has already added platforms like INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, INS Vaghsheer, INS Arnala, and INS Nistar in 2025.
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With their induction, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri represent India's Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat drive with 75% indigenous content. Both stealth frigates are indigenous warships designed and built in the country and together, these stealth frigates expand the Navy's ability to operate in contested waters, track adversaries, and secure vital sea lanes. Their endurance, advanced weaponry, and reduced detectability give India a sharper edge in safeguarding its Eastern Coast and the Indian Ocean.
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