Navy to commission two frontline warships at Visakhapatnam on Tuesday

The Indian Navy is to do simultaneous commissioning of two frontline warships – the Udaygiri and the Himgiri on Tuesday at Visakhapatnam.

The ceremony will be presided over by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Ministry of Defence said.

This will be the first time that two major warships made by Indian Shipyards are being commissioned at the same time.

Both the ships are part of ‘Project 17-A stealth frigates’.

The Udaygiri has been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, while Himgiri has been constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Kolkata. Both shipyards are owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Udaygiri and Himgiri represent a generational leap over earlier designs. Displacing about 6,700 tonnes, the P17-A stealth frigates are roughly five per cent larger than their predecessor Shivalik-class frigates and yet incorporate a sleeker form, with a reduced radar cross section.

They are powered by Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants using diesel engines and gas turbines that drive controllable-pitch propellers and are managed through an integrated platform management system (IPMS). The weapon suite includes the land-attack version of the Brahmos, medium range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine warfare and underwater weapon systems.

Rigorous sea trials have validated the frigates' hull, machinery, firefighting, damage control, navigation and communication systems, ensuring they are ready for operational deployment.

On commissioning, the two frigates will join the Eastern Fleet, strengthening India’s ability to safeguard its maritime interests across the Indian Ocean Region.