In a major boost to India’s naval firepower, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday commissioned INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, two cutting-edge stealth frigates, into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Command.
Calling them India’s “floating F-35s,” Mr. Singh praised the warships’ advanced weapons and sensor suites, which include long-range strike systems, supersonic missiles, and state-of-the-art combat technologies. “These frigates are the invincible guardians of our seas,” he said.
Built indigenously, INS Udaygiri is the second Project 17A frigate from MDL, Mumbai, while INS Himgiri is GRSE Kolkata’s first vessel of the same class. Both represent a generational leap in design and combat capabilities.
The names revive the legacy of their predecessors, INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34), which served the Navy for over 30 years.
Emphasising innovation, Mr. Singh stated: “Old thinking won’t work. We must anticipate new threats and build modern solutions.” He also reiterated India’s resolve to protect its maritime borders with swift and decisive action.