Will the Indian Navy Commission Stealth Frigates Udaygiri and Himgiri on August 26?

New Delhi, Aug 11 (NationPress) As part of its commitment to enhancing naval capabilities, the Indian Navy is gearing up for the joint commissioning of two state-of-the-art frontline frigates - Udaygiri (F35) and Himgiri (F34) - on August 26 at Visakhapatnam, according to an official announcement made on Monday.

This event marks a significant milestone as it is the first instance of two major surface combat vessels from distinguished Indian shipyards being commissioned simultaneously, the official noted.

The construction of both ships is backed by a robust industrial ecosystem involving over 200 MSMEs, which has created nearly 4,000 direct jobs and over 10,000 indirect jobs.

This accomplishment highlights the effectiveness of the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives within the defense sector, as stated by officials.

“As the nation witnesses the two grey hulls joining the fleet, the message is unmistakable: India's waters are secured by vessels crafted in India, designed by Indians, and operated by Indians - truly reflecting the Make in India initiative and symbolizing the nation's growing maritime strength,” the statement conveyed.

Udaygiri, the second ship of the Project 17A stealth frigates, has been constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, while Himgiri is the first of the P17A vessels built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.

In a significant achievement for the Navy, Udaygiri is also recognized as the 100th ship designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau.

Both Udaygiri and Himgiri represent a significant advancement compared to previous designs. With a displacement of approximately 6,700 tonnes, the P17A frigates are about 5% larger than their predecessors, the Shivalik-class frigates, while featuring a more streamlined design and a reduced radar cross-section.

They utilize Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion systems that incorporate diesel engines and gas turbines, driving controllable-pitch propellers and managed via an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), as stated in the release.

The armament includes supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, a 76 mm MR Gun, and a mix of 30 mm and 12.7 mm Close-in Weapon Systems, as well as Anti-submarine/Underwater weapon systems.

The commissioning of Udaygiri and Himgiri underscores the Navy's dedication to self-sufficiency in ship design and construction, following the commissioning of other indigenous platforms, such as destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri, submarine INS Vaghsheer, ASW Shallow Water Craft INS Arnala, and Diving Support Vessel INS Nistar, all in 2025.

Thorough sea trials have confirmed the readiness of the frigates' hull, machinery, firefighting, damage control, navigation, and communication systems for operational use, as highlighted in the statement.

The upcoming ceremony at Visakhapatnam will be more than a mere naval event; it will celebrate India's progress towards a robust and self-sufficient maritime defense capability.