INS Udaygiri, INS Himgiri join Indian Navy, armed with BrahMos & Barak-8

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri at Visakhapatnam. This was the first time two frontline stealth frigates built at different shipyards were inducted together, underscoring the strategic role of India’s eastern seaboard.

Both belong to the Project 17A Nilgiri-class, follow-ons to the Shivalik class. They feature enhanced stealth design, advanced weapons, sensors, and blue-water combat capability, giving India an edge in complex maritime operations.

The ships revive the legacy of earlier INS Udaygiri (1976–2007) and INS Himgiri (1974–2005). Udaygiri is also the 100th ship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, marking five decades of indigenous design expertise.

Udaygiri: Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mumbai – fastest of her class to be delivered post-launch, thanks to modular construction.
Himgiri: Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata – first of her class from this shipyard. This parallel build highlights India’s growing naval industrial base.

Displacing 6,700 tons, the frigates are larger, sleeker and harder to detect. Armed with BrahMos missiles, Barak-8 SAMs, torpedoes, rocket launchers, CIWS, and a 76 mm main gun, backed by MF-STAR radar, HUMSA-NG sonar, and electronic warfare systems. Each ship supports helicopters like MH-60 Romeo, ALH Dhruv Mk-III, and Sea King, enhancing reach in surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.

With 75% indigenous content, the ships drew contributions from 200+ MSMEs, creating 4,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs. Their commissioning boosts the Eastern Fleet, reinforcing India’s ability to safeguard maritime trade routes and project power across the Indian Ocean.