The Indian Navy is entering a new era with Project 17A, an ambitious program to build seven advanced stealth-guided missile frigates. These ships are successors of the Shivalik-class and are designed to operate in deep-sea “blue water” environments.
Two of them, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri have just been commissioned. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (Mumbai) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders (Kolkata), they showcase India’s growing naval self-reliance.
These ships are sleek, stealthy, and packed with modern weaponry: BrahMos missiles, Barak-8 air defence systems, torpedoes, rocket launchers, and rapid-fire guns. At 149 meters long and displacing 6,670 tonnes, each can reach speeds of 28 knots while housing a crew of 225.
Beyond firepower, Project 17A reflects India’s industrial push, with over 75% indigenous components. It has also created thousands of direct and indirect jobs across 200+ enterprises.
With four ships being built in Mumbai and three in Kolkata, all seven are expected to join the fleet within the next two years, strengthening India’s maritime dominance.
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