India has made a major step in strengthening its naval power and defence self-reliance. The Indian Navy has commissioned two new stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at Visakhapatnam.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Navy, calling the ships a “floating F-35 warship.” The dual commissioning also shows how India is building advanced warships at home under the Make in India initiative.
Rajnath Singh’s Message
At the launch, Rajnath Singh compared India’s new frigates with the US F-35 fighter jet. “Today, you have launched the indigenous F-35 warship. One nation has a flying F-35, and you have built a floating F-35, that too Made in India,” he said.
He added that the commissioning is a key step in India’s journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). “[It] is a dream come true towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. I can say with confidence that both these warships will prove to be a milestone in the country’s security,” he said.
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Rare Double Commissioning
The new frigates belong to the Project 17A class. For the first time, the Indian Navy commissioned two frontline ships built at different shipyards on the same day. INS Udaygiri was built at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai, while INS Himgiri was constructed at Garden Reach Shipbuilders in Kolkata.
Rajnath Singh said these ships will strengthen the Navy’s reach, resilience, and ability to protect India’s maritime interests.
Moving Away from Foreign Dependence
Singh stressed that India will no longer rely on foreign shipyards for its naval fleet. “INS Tamal was the last foreign order for the Indian Navy. We have decided that no future ship for the Indian Navy will be built abroad; we will build our ships in India. This is a very decisive step towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing,” he said.
He also highlighted that the commissioning marks a century for the Indian Navy and shows growing confidence in India’s shipbuilding capabilities.
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High-Tech Features of the Ships
Both frigates use advanced stealth technology to reduce radar detection. They possess advanced electronic warfare systems, rapid fire weapons, supersonic and surface-to-air missiles and observation radars.
The ships can travel more quickly and consume less fuel since they are propelled by a combination of gas and diesel. For simple control and monitoring, they also provide an Integrated Platform Management System.
Symbol of India’s Strategic Vision
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri shows India’s bigger goals, the Navy is not only protecting its own coastline but also strengthening its presence in the Indian Ocean. Singh said the ships will support “neighbourhood first and mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth for all in the region.”
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