Overview

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the frigates on 26 August at Visakhapatnam, inducting them into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet.
• This was the first time two large frontline surface combatants from different shipyards were commissioned together.
• INS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and INS Himgiri by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, with roughly 75% indigenous content and extensive MSME involvement, including a 37‑month post‑launch delivery for Udaygiri.
• Both ships are Project 17A Nilgiri‑class frigates of about 6,700 tonnes and 149 metres with CODOG propulsion capable of roughly 30 knots for multi‑mission blue‑water operations.
• The combat fit includes eight BrahMos missiles per ship, Barak‑8 air‑defence, Varunastra torpedoes and advanced combat systems, with Singh calling them a “floating F‑35” to signal their stealth and capability.