MDL Delivered 2nd Nilgiri-Class Frigate (INS Udaygiri) to IndianNavy today.

In a momentous leap for India’s indigenous naval modernization drive, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has officially delivered the second Nilgiri-class frigate, INS Udaygiri, to the Indian Navy on July 1, 2025. As the latest entrant into the Indian fleet under Project 17A, INS Udaygiri represents not only cutting-edge warfighting capability but also a defining moment in the evolution of Indian ship design and self-reliant defense production.

Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB)—the Navy’s in-house think tank for maritime architecture—INS Udaygiri is the 100th warship to be delivered by WDB, underscoring decades of accumulated experience and technological ambition.

A Legacy Reimagined

INS Udaygiri takes its name from a distinguished predecessor—a Leander-class frigate that served for 31 years before decommissioning in 2007. The new avatar, however, is far more than a namesake. It is a thoroughly modern, stealth-optimized, multi-role platform designed for blue-water operations—capable of handling both conventional and asymmetric threats in India’s maritime domain, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.

A Stealth Warship with Teeth

Part of the Project 17A stealth frigate program, INS Udaygiri is a technological successor to the Shivalik-class but introduces substantial improvements in stealth, combat capability, and automation.

At its core, the ship embodies a balance of brute power and silent agility:

• Stealth Design: Radar-absorbent materials, angular hull lines, and reduced infrared signatures ensure Udaygiri can avoid detection by enemy radars. Compared to its predecessor, the P17A design is 4.54% larger, allowing for better onboard systems and survivability.

• Weapon Suite: Armed to the teeth, Udaygiri features the BrahMos supersonic surface-to-surface missile, a Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system, a 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, 30 mm close-in weapon systems, and 12.7 mm remote-controlled guns. Together, these systems allow it to take on aerial threats, surface targets, and close-in dangers with lethal precision.

• Anti-Submarine Warfare: Indigenous torpedo tubes and RBU-6000 rocket launchers make the ship a formidable hunter of underwater threats. Coupled with state-of-the-art sonar systems like HUMSA-NG and ATAS, Udaygiri boasts credible undersea warfare strength.

• Sensors and Combat Systems: The frigate’s brain is the indigenous CMS-17A combat management system, seamlessly integrating all weapons, sensors, and command tools. It is aided by the MF-STAR AESA radar, providing 360° tracking and engagement capabilities.

Powered by Indigenous Innovation

Perhaps the most defining feature of INS Udaygiri is not what it fights with, but what it symbolizes. Built with over 75% indigenous content, the ship showcases India’s growing mastery in high-end military technology. The hull, electronics, propulsion, sensors, and even armaments are sourced predominantly from Indian defense firms and MSMEs, including BEL, BHEL, BrahMos Aerospace, L&T, and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd.

The ship runs on a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, integrating diesel engines and gas turbines to power controllable pitch propellers (CPPs). This hybrid setup allows high-speed bursts or fuel-efficient cruising—depending on mission requirements.

Behind the scenes, the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) gives the ship’s crew total control over machinery, power, HVAC, damage control, and onboard diagnostics—furthering the ship’s automation and reducing crew workload.

Industrial Ecosystem in Action

The delivery of INS Udaygiri is also a triumph of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. With over 200 MSMEs involved in its production, and direct employment for 4,000 people and indirect employment for over 10,000 others, the warship is a floating testament to the strength of India's growing defense-industrial base.

Moreover, the warship’s completion using integrated modular construction—where large pre-outfitted sections are assembled like Lego blocks—significantly reduced the build time to just 37 months from launch to delivery. This marks one of the fastest turnarounds for a major frontline Indian warship.

A Strategic Asset for the Indo-Pacific

As India faces an increasingly contested maritime environment, the addition of a modern, multi-role frigate like INS Udaygiri enhances deterrence and operational flexibility. Whether as part of a carrier battle group, a maritime strike task force, or a lone sentinel on anti-submarine patrol, Udaygiri is built to adapt and dominate.

Its endurance and versatility allow it to perform long-range deployments, humanitarian missions, anti-piracy operations, and high-intensity combat—all critical as India positions itself as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.

What’s Next?

INS Udaygiri is the second of seven Nilgiri-class stealth frigates. The remaining five vessels are currently under various stages of construction and are expected to be delivered progressively by 2026. Together, these ships will form a cornerstone of India’s future surface fleet.

INS Udaygiri is more than just a warship; it is a reflection of India’s growing confidence and capability in defense production, naval strategy, and global power projection. Designed by Indians, built in Indian shipyards, armed with Indian weapons—it is a sharp-edged symbol of national pride, readiness, and resolve.

As it prepares to hoist the tricolor at sea, Udaygiri sails not only into the oceans, but into a new era for the Indian Navy.