INS Udaygiri: Indian Navy Inducts Second Indigenous Stealth Frigate in Record Time

New Delhi — In a significant milestone for India’s naval strength and self-reliance in defence production, the Indian Navy has formally inducted INS Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate built under Project 17A, on Tuesday.

Delivered just 37 months after its launch, INS Udaygiri sets a new benchmark for efficiency in warship construction and technological advancement.

The frigate, constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, is a cutting-edge, multi-role warship designed for 'Blue Water' operations, capable of handling both conventional and asymmetric maritime threats.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), “INS Udaygiri is the modern incarnation of its predecessor — the erstwhile INS Udaygiri, a steam-powered ship decommissioned in August 2007 after 31 years of distinguished service to the nation.”

The Project 17A (P17A) class of warships features significant advancements in stealth technology, weapon systems, and sensors, marking a major upgrade from the earlier P17 class.

The MoD highlighted, “These warships demonstrate a quantum leap in the Indian Navy’s indigenous design expertise, developed at the Warship Design Bureau. The vessels are being constructed using an ‘Integrated Construction’ approach, where extensive pre-outfitting is done at the block stage, significantly reducing construction timelines.”

The P17A frigates have hulls that are geo-symmetrically 4.54% larger than those of their predecessors, offering enhanced stealth profiles and superior combat capabilities.

INS Udaygiri is equipped with an advanced weapons and sensors suite, a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system featuring both diesel engines and gas turbines, and a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft. The warship also integrates a state-of-the-art Platform Management System (IPMS).

The induction of Udaygiri underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in defence manufacturing. Over 200 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) played a role in the ship's construction, reflecting the strength of India’s evolving shipbuilding ecosystem.

The project has directly created employment for around 4,000 individuals, with over 10,000 benefiting indirectly through associated industries. With five more stealth frigates under construction and expected to be delivered by 2026, Project 17A is a key pillar of India’s maritime modernisation and strategic autonomy.

The addition of INS Udaygiri not only boosts the Navy’s operational readiness but also enhances India’s strategic influence across the Indian Ocean region.

With inputs from IANS