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INS Udaygiri
Navy inducts second indigenous stealth frigate in record time
Context: INS Udaygiri, delivered to the Indian Navy on 01 July 2025, marks a significant milestone in India’s indigenous warship design and construction journey. As part of the Project 17A (P17A) class of advanced stealth frigates, this ship exemplifies the nation’s growing Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing and maritime power projection.
What is INS Udaygiri?
- The ship is named after the Udaygiri mountain range in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting India’s tradition of naming warships after geographical landmarks.
- It is a modern reincarnation of the former Leander-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigate INS Udaygiri, which served the Navy from 18 February 1976 to 24 August 2007, participating in several critical operations over its 31 years of service.
- INS Udaygiri is a multi-mission stealth frigate capable of operating in Blue Water environments, dealing with both conventional and non-conventional threats.
Key Combat Systems and Features Include:
- Supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missile system
- Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) system
- 76 mm naval gun
- 30 mm and 12.7 mm rapid-fire Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)
- Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS)
- Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system with Diesel Engine and Gas Turbine driving Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP)
Position Within Project 17A
- Project 17A is the successor to the Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates.
- The P-17A frigates are designed with enhanced stealth features, advanced weaponry, and cutting-edge sensor systems, marking a quantum leap in the Indian Navy’s warship design and construction capabilities.
- Seven frigates are being constructed under P-17A—four at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDSL), Mumbai, and three at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- INS Udaygiri is the third ship and the second to be delivered under the P17A, with the remaining five expected to be delivered by the end of 2026.
Stealth Features & Design Innovations
- P17A ships feature a hull that is 4.54% geo-symmetrically larger than the earlier P17 frigates.
- Enhanced stealth design includes reduced radar, infrared, and acoustic signatures, making it more survivable in high-threat environments.
- The sleek profile is paired with state-of-the-art sensors and advanced platform technologies, improving mission readiness and situational awareness.
Where Does INS Udaygiri Stand in India’s Self-Reliance Mission?
- Atmanirbharta in Defence: Over 200 Indian MSMEs have contributed to the warship’s development, providing key systems and subsystems. Major weapons and sensors are sourced from indigenous Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
- Employment Generation: Direct employment for 4,000 personnel and indirect employment for over 10,000 workers. Strengthens India’s defence industrial ecosystem, fostering economic growth and technological advancement.
