INS Udaygiri: Project 17A Indigenous Stealth Frigate Delivered to Indian Navy: New Delhi – July 1, 2025 – Yard 12652 (Udaygiri), the second vessel of the Project 17A stealth frigate series, has been delivered to the Indian Navy. The ship, constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL), marks a significant step in India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
Project 17A is a continuation of the Shivalik class (Project 17) frigates, which are currently in active service. Udaygiri is the second of seven P17A frigates under construction at MDSL in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. These multi-mission frigates are designed for operations in a ‘Blue Water’ environment, capable of addressing both conventional and non-conventional threats within India’s maritime interests. The new Udaygiri is a modern iteration of its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Udaygiri, a steam ship decommissioned on August 24, 2007, after 31 years of service.
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Indian Navy’s Project-17A Stealth Frigates
The P-17A ships incorporate enhanced stealth features and are equipped with advanced weapons and sensors, representing an upgrade from the P17 class. These vessels reflect advancements in the Indian Navy’s in-house design capabilities, developed by the Warship Design Bureau. The construction of these ships utilizes an ‘Integrated Construction’ philosophy, involving extensive pre-outfitting at the block stages to reduce overall build periods. Udaygiri was delivered to the Indian Navy in 37 months from its launch date.
The hull of P17A ships is approximately 4.54% larger than that of P17 vessels. These ships feature an advanced weapon and sensor suite with enhanced stealth capabilities compared to the P17 class. They are configured with Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) main propulsion plants, which include a Diesel Engine and Gas turbine, driving a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft, and an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
The weapon suite includes a supersonic Surface-to-Surface missile system, a Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile system, a 76 mm Gun, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm rapid-fire close-in Weapon Systems.
The delivery of Udaygiri to Indian Navy underscores India’s capabilities in ship design, construction, and engineering. This has been supported by an industrial ecosystem involving over 200 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The warship is fitted with major weapons and sensors sourced from indigenous Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
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INS Udaygiri delivery ceremony.
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The shipbuilding requirements for this Project have generated direct employment for approximately 4,000 personnel and over 10,000 personnel through indirect and ancillary sources. The project’s outcomes include contributions to self-reliance, economic development, employment generation, and the growth of MSMEs and the ancillary ecosystem in the country.
The remaining five ships of the P17A Class are currently in various stages of construction at MDSL, Mumbai, and GRSE, Kolkata, with progressive deliveries anticipated by the end of 2026.
