India’s naval self-reliance took a major leap forward with the delivery of INS Himgiri, a cutting-edge indigenous stealth frigate built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. This marks the second major delivery this month under the Indian Navy’s Project-17A, following INS Udaygiri, which was delivered by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) on July 1. Both ships are expected to be formally commissioned into active service in August 2025.
INS Himgiri is the third of seven stealth frigates being developed under Project-17A, a next-generation warship programme aimed at enhancing the Navy’s long-range operational capabilities. The 149-metre-long warship displaces 6,670 tonnes and is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and sensor systems, including:
- Extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles
- Barak-8 surface-to-air missile system
- Advanced stealth design and integrated platform management system
- Indigenous sonar, radar, and combat systems
These features make Himgiri a formidable addition to the Indian Navy’s arsenal, capable of multi-role operations including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.
Project-17A warships are being built with over 75% indigenous content, showcasing India’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) in defence manufacturing.
India’s naval modernization efforts are gaining momentum, with 58 warships currently under construction across various shipyards and 31 more on the drawing board. This build-up is seen as a critical response to the evolving maritime threats and strategic competition in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly in the face of expanding Chinese naval presence and challenges from Pakistan.
The successful and timely delivery of Himgiri by GRSE, ahead of schedule, further cements India’s capabilities as a global naval power and highlights the synergy between the Navy and Indian shipyards in achieving technological excellence.
