In a tremendous fillip to India’s maritime security and indigenous shipbuilding prowess, Indian Navy took delivery of INS Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate under the ambitious Project 17A, from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, on July 1.
The handover is a milestone for India’s attempts at becoming self-reliant in defence production under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and is accomplished when India is progressively augmenting its blue-water naval footprint for deterring conventional and non-conventional threats in the Indian Ocean Region.
A Modern Avatar of a Glorious Legacy
INS Udaygiri is also so named after the ancient Udaygiri Hills, and continues with distinction the honour of the previous INS Udaygiri, a steam frigate that served the nation for 31 years before its decommissioning in August 2007. The new Udaygiri, having been constructed as Yard 12652, is the height of Indian naval design and technology.
A Quantum Leap in Design and Capabilities
Project 17A is a follow-on to the successful Indian Navy Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates with next-generation stealth, weapons, and sensors. The new class of frigates marks a significant milestone in home-grown design capabilities by the Warship Design Bureau of the Navy.
Compared to its predecessor, the P-17A class has a 4.54% longer hull, improved stealth, and a full suite of advanced weapons and sensors. Its build is according to the Integrated Construction approach, with extensive pre-outfitting at the block stage, which has reduced the overall build duration significantly. What is more impressive is that INS Udaygiri has been handed over within 37 months of the launch date, a new benchmark for warship build timelines in India.
Impressive Combat and Operating Capabilities
The vessel is fitted with a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plant, which features diesel engines and gas turbines driving controllable pitch propellers on each shaft. The latest setup is coupled with a state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), maximising operational efficiency and automation.
Impressive weapons complement:
· Supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missile System
· Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile System
· 76 mm Naval Gun
· Close-in Weapon Systems (12.7 mm, 30 mm) Rapid-fire
These features allow INS Udaygiri to function optimally in blue-water environments, with dominance over traditional and asymmetric naval threats.
Aatmanirbharta in Action
The transfer of INS Udaygiri is one instance of India’s rapidly expanding shipbuilding industry. Over 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have played their part in providing equipment and systems to the frigate, reflecting the success of domestic procurement.
The Project 17A ship construction program has generated significant economic activity:
· Direct employment for approximately 4,000 personnel
· Indirect employment for over 10,000 individuals through ancillary industries
These programs not only enhance the security of the nation but also increase economic growth and development of India’s defence industrial base.
Project 17A: Strengthening the Naval Arsenal
INS Udaygiri is the second of the series of seven P-17A frigates ordered by MDL, Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. The lead ship of Project 17A is INS Nilgiri, which draws inspiration from the beautiful Nilgiri Hills. INS Nilgiri was commissioned in September 2019 at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and is the lead ship of the new generation of advanced stealth frigates.
As the lead shipyard of a batch of seven P-17A frigates, INS Nilgiri is a landmark achievement in indigenous warship building with enhanced stealth features, advanced weapons, and newer sensors. The vessel completed sea trials successfully and was commissioned to the Indian Navy in December 2024.
The INS Nilgiri led the way for the Project 17A class, showing India’s design and construction capabilities of ships, and leading the way for subsequent ships like the INS Udaygiri to follow.
The following five frigates are being built at various stages of construction and will be transferred in phases by the end of 2026. The multi-mission stealth frigates with the capability to conduct anti-submarine warfare, anti-air and anti-surface operations will increase the operational efficiency and capability of the Indian Navy along with its power projection in the strategically crucial Indian Ocean Region.
By commissioning INS Udaygiri, India takes another bold step toward maritime indigenisation and bolstering its defence preparedness. With the construction of the final of P-17A frigates already in progress, the Indian Navy is poised to be a force to be reckoned with that can safeguard the nation’s interests in the expansive expanse of the Indo-Pacific.
