India commissions Nilgiri-class frigates into Indian Navy

1. What are these frigates?

They are Nilgiri-class stealth guided-missile frigates. Both were commissioned into the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam.

2. Why are they important?

It is the first time that two major surface combatants from two different Indian shipyards have been commissioned simultaneously, showcasing India’s shipbuilding strength and naval expansion.

3. Which shipyards built them?

• INS Udaygiri – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai
• INS Himgiri – Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata

4. What is their role?

They are designed for multi-mission operations including:

• Anti-surface warfare
• Anti-submarine warfare
• Anti-air warfare
• Electronic warfare and surveillance

5. What are their weapons and systems?

• Surface-to-surface missiles
• Surface-to-air missiles
• Torpedoes & anti-submarine rockets
• Indigenous rocket launchers
• Medium & rapid-fire guns
• Multi-mission surveillance radars
• Electronic warfare systems

6. What makes them special?

• Highly stealthy with reduced radar visibility
• Equipped with modern combat management systems
• Larger and more advanced than earlier classes like Shivalik-class
• Designed for long-range strike and fleet protection

7. What is the significance of their names?

• INS Udaygiri – named after a mountain range in Andhra Pradesh
• INS Himgiri – named after a Himalayan range peak

8. What is their strategic role?

• INS Udaygiri will serve in the Eastern Naval Command
• INS Himgiri will serve in the Western Naval Command. Together, they enhance India’s maritime security on both eastern and western seaboards.