Indian Navy gets new desi stealth frigate armed with BrahMos, anti-submarine torpedoes, and long-range missiles

In a significant milestone for indigenous warship design and construction, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Kolkata, delivered Himgiri (Yard 3022), the third ship of the Nilgiri-class frigates under Project 17A, to the Indian Navy on 31 July 2025. Himgiri is the first Project 17A frigate constructed by GRSE and marks a major achievement in the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Kolkata), the ship reflects advancements in stealth, survivability, automation, and combat capabilities. It was built using the ‘Integrated Construction’ approach and delivered within the projected timelines.

Reincarnation of a legacy warship

The new Himgiri revives the legacy of the original Leander-class INS Himgiri, which served the Navy for 30 years until its decommissioning on 6 May 2005.

Enhanced capabilities and weapon systems

Project 17A ships are equipped with a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, featuring diesel engines and gas turbines driving Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) on each shaft. The platform is further enhanced by a state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), enabling integrated control with the ship's bridge and combat management systems.

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The ship’s weapon and sensor suite includes:

• LR SAM surface-to-air missile system
• Eight vertically launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles
• Lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes
• Indigenous rocket launcher with FCS IAC-MOD
• 127 mm medium-range gun
• Two AK-630 rapid-fire guns
• MF-STAR multi-mission radar
• Shakti electronic warfare suite
• Airborne early warning radar
• Surface surveillance radar
• Humsa-NG sonar

Advanced onboard systems

Himgiri is outfitted with:

• Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS)
• Integrated Bridge System (IBS)
• Combat Management System (CMS)
• Advanced Composite Communication Suite (ACCS)
• Ship’s internal databus for inter-system connectivity

Specifications

• Length: 142.5 metres
• Beam: 16.9 metres
• Displacement: 6,342 tonnes
• Maximum speed: 30 knots

Navy's expansion target

The delivery of Himgiri comes as part of the Indian Navy's broader effort to enhance maritime capabilities, with a long-term goal of becoming a 170–175 warship-strong force by 2035. Project 17A is a critical step toward achieving this objective, bolstering both force levels and indigenous defence manufacturing.