Historic day for Navy: ‘Udaygiri’ and ‘Himgiri’ to be commissioned together, Rajnath Singh in attendance

National News: A new chapter is set to strengthen the Indian Navy as two advanced stealth frigates, ‘Udaygiri’ and ‘Himgiri,’ will be commissioned at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam today, 26 August. The event will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the capacity of chief guest.

Both warships have been developed under Project 17A, which is regarded as a milestone in the success of the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives in the defense sector. What makes the occasion even more significant is that ‘Udaygiri’ is the 100th vessel designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, marking a proud moment in India’s naval history.

Strengthening Security in the Indian Ocean

According to the Defense Ministry, the induction of these ships will greatly enhance the Navy’s combat power. Once commissioned, the frigates will join the Eastern Fleet, further improving India’s capacity for maritime surveillance, protection of trade routes, and safeguarding strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.

First-Ever Dual Commissioning from Different Shipyards

It is the first occasion when two frontline vessels from separate shipyards are being inducted simultaneously.

• Himgiri was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• Udaygiri was built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

These warships come with upgraded designs, advanced stealth features, modern weapons, and state-of-the-art sensor systems. Nearly 75 percent of their components are indigenous, showcasing India’s growing defense self-reliance.

Honoring a Glorious Naval Legacy

The names of these frigates honor their predecessors, INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34), both of which served the nation for more than three decades before being decommissioned. The new ships will carry forward this legacy and are expected to play a vital role in protecting India’s maritime frontiers in the coming years.

Looking Ahead

India has been steadily modernizing its naval strength to meet evolving challenges in the maritime domain. Defense experts believe that the addition of Udaygiri and Himgiri will sharpen the Navy’s ability to counter potential threats, conduct long-range surveillance, and respond effectively in diverse operational scenarios.

The commissioning of these frigates is not only a technological achievement but also a symbol of India’s progress toward defense self-reliance.