Navy Inducts 2nd Stealth Frigate – Record Time

NAVY INDUCTS SECOND INDIGENOUS STEALTH FRIGATE IN RECORD TIME

Why in the News?

  • INS Udaygiri delivered: Second Project 17A stealth frigate handed over to the Navy in a record 37 months, showcasing India’s growing engineering capabilities in shipbuilding.
  • Modern upgrade: Successor to Shivalik-class frigates, enhancing India’s naval firepower and design strength with advanced ships.
  • Strategic milestone: Showcases India’s growing military manufacturing and blue-water navy capabilities, contributing to economic development through the naval sector.

Navy Inducts 2nd Stealth Frigate - Record Time

Key Features of INS Udaygiri

  • Indigenous design: Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDSL) with in-house design capabilities by Warship Design Bureau, leveraging an industrial ecosystem of indigenous manufacturers.
  • Advanced weaponry: Equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), 76 mm gun, and close-in weapon systems, demonstrating significant advancements in naval technology.
  • Stealth and sensors: Features enhanced stealth capabilities and state-of-the-art integrated platform management system, superior to the earlier P-17 Shivalik class frigates. The ship incorporates extensive pre-outfitting techniques for improved efficiency.

Strategic Significance for Indian Navy

  • Maritime power: Can conduct blue water operations, tackling both conventional threats and non-conventional threats in the Indian Ocean Region, with main propulsion plants featuring controllable pitch propellers for enhanced maneuverability.
  • Self-reliant defence: Strengthens Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in naval defence manufacturing and indigenous shipbuilding, fostering employment generation and development of original equipment manufacturers.
  • Progressive delivery: Remaining five ships of the P17A class to be delivered by end of 2026, bolstering India’s maritime security and combat readiness. The warship overseeing team ensures strict quality control throughout the construction process.

PROJECT 17A FRIGATES
● Background: Successor to the Project 17 (Shivalik class), focused on stealth features and firepower. The name “Udaygiri” pays homage to the erstwhile INS Udaygiri, a Leander-class anti-submarine frigate.
● Total ships: Includes seven P17A frigates, constructed by MDSL and GRSE as part of a major shipbuilding project included in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, supporting the domestic industrial ecosystem.
● Design agency: Warship Design Bureau, under Indian Navy, responsible for design and upgrades, marking their 100th ship designed, showcasing India’s growing engineering capabilities in naval architecture.
● Mission roles: Multi-mission frigates for surveillance, escort, anti-submarine, and surface warfare, enhancing maritime interests and meeting diverse shipbuilding requirements.
● Strategic aim: Enhances India’s blue water operations capability and strengthens presence in Indo-Pacific region, with these newly designed ships playing a crucial role in naval strategy.