INS Udaygiri delivered: Second stealth frigate under Project 17A; why is it important?

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy received Udaygiri, a new stealth frigate built under Project 17A on Tuesday, from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. This is the second of seven ships being built under the project, with construction underway at MDL and GRSE in Kolkata. Project 17A is an advanced version of the Shivalik-class frigates already in service. These warships are built for "blue water" operations and can handle both traditional and modern threats across India’s maritime zone. Udaygiri carries forward the legacy of the original INS Udaygiri, which served the nation for 31 years before being decommissioned in August 2007. The new ship comes with upgraded stealth features, modern weapons, and advanced sensors.

It represents a significant improvement over the earlier P17 class. The ship has been designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built using an 'Integrated Construction' method — a process that reduces build time by pre-fitting components in smaller sections. Thanks to this method, Udaygiri was delivered within 37 months of its launch. Compared to the earlier version, the new P17A ships are 4.54% larger in hull size and have a sleeker, stealthier profile.

They are powered by a combination of diesel engine and gas turbine (CODOG setup), along with a Controllable Pitch Propeller on each shaft. An Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) runs onboard systems. The ship’s weapon suite includes supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76mm gun, and close-range rapid-fire weapons. The Defence Ministry said Udaygiri reflects the country’s progress in self-reliant shipbuilding, with over 200 Indian MSMEs involved.

Most of the warship’s major components, weapons, and sensors are sourced from local manufacturers. The project has also created jobs — about 4,000 directly and over 10,000 through indirect and support roles. The remaining five ships of the P17A class are in different stages of construction and are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026.