ins-udaygiri-and-himgiri-to-be-commissioned-tomorrow

The Indian Navy on Tuesday is scheduled to simultaneously commission two Nilgiri-class stealth guided-missile frigates, the INS Udaygiri and the INS Himgiri, in Visakhapatnam. This marks the first time that two major surface combatants from two different Indian shipyards will be commissioned at the same time. 

These two warships are part of Project 17 Alpha (P-17A), a programme under which the lead vessel, INS Nilgiri, was commissioned earlier this year. With this dual commissioning, India will have a three-frigate squadron, demonstrating the nation's industrial-technological capability and enhancing its regional power balance through indigenous defense production.

A New Generation of Warships

According to the Ministry of Defence, the INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri represent a significant generational leap over previous designs. The P-17A frigates are roughly 5 pc larger than their Shivalik-class predecessors, with a displacement of about 6,700 tons. Their stealth capabilities are improved by their sleeker form and lower radar cross-section, which belies their larger size.

 

The frigates are propelled by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, which drives controllable-pitch propellers with a combination of gas turbines and diesel engines. This system is managed through an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). 

The ships' weapon suite is comprehensive, including supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm MR Gun, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems. They are also equipped with advanced anti-submarine and underwater weapon systems.

Indigenous Production and Economic Impact

The Indian Navy is set to commission two Nilgiri-class stealth guided-missile frigates, named INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at the same time on Tuesday in Visakhapatnam. This is the first time that two important warships from different shipbuilding centers in India will be officially put into service at the same time. These two warships are part of Project 17 Alpha (P-17A). 

This is a programme where the first ship, INS Nilgiri, was officially put into service earlier this year. With this dual commissioning, India will form a squadron of three frigates, showing the country's ability in industry and technology, and improving its influence in the region by building its own defense equipment. 

 

The Ministry of Defence says that the INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri are a big step forward compared to older ship designs. The P-17A frigates are about 5 pc bigger than the earlier Shivalik-class ships, and they weigh around 6,700 tons. Their ability to stay hidden is better because of their smoother shape and reduced radar signature, even though they are bigger in size. 

The frigates use a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system. This system uses both gas turbines and diesel engines to power controllable-pitch propellers. This system is controlled using an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). The ships have a wide range of weapons. They include fast missiles that can hit targets on the water, medium-range missiles for defending against airplanes, a 76 mm gun that can fire at medium distances, and a mix of 30 mm and 12.7 mm guns for close protection. 

They also have special systems that protect against submarines and weapons used under water. The Ministry of Defence said that building both ships was helped by a group of more than 200 small and medium-sized businesses. This project has led to around 4,000 direct jobs and over 10,000 indirect jobs. 

 

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The INS Udaygiri was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and is the 100th vessel created by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau. The INS Himgiri is the first ship of the P-17A class built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. India is taking steps to strengthen its position in the Indo-Pacific region by getting these frigates ready for service. 

This is especially important because China is becoming more active and influential in the Indian Ocean area. China has been building its presence in important locations around the world, such as Gwadar in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Chittagong in Bangladesh, and Djibouti. 

This strategy is often referred to as the "string of pearls." In this political situation, the Nilgiri-class frigates are meant to act as a powerful warning to others.

Officials stated that these frigates will not only protect sea trade routes but also bolster India's naval presence in the Indian Ocean region, extending from the Strait of Malacca to the coast of Africa. The Ministry of Defence's statement described the upcoming ceremony in Visakhapatnam as "more than a naval ritual." It will be "a celebration of India's journey towards a robust and self-sufficient maritime defence ecosystem." 

The commissioning will send a clear message that "India's oceans are guarded by ships built in India, designed by Indians and staffed by Indians—a true embodiment of the Make in India initiative and a beacon of the country's rising maritime power."

 

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