'One Country Has F-35 In Air...': Rajnath Singh Lauds India's Multi-Mission Stealth Frigates
On August 26, 2025, India marked a historic milestone in its quest for self-reliance in defense manufacturing with the commissioning of two multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, presiding over the ceremony, drew a striking comparison, stating, “One nation has a flying F-35, and you have built a floating F-35, that too Made in India.” This bold analogy, referencing the US’s fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet, underscored the advanced capabilities of these indigenously built warships and India’s growing maritime prowess. This blog explores the significance of these frigates, their cutting-edge features, and their role in strengthening India’s maritime security and economic ambitions.
A Milestone for Atmanirbhar Bharat
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, part of the Indian Navy’s Project 17A, represents a leap forward in India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). These frigates, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, respectively, are the first instance of two frontline surface combatants from different shipyards being commissioned simultaneously. Rajnath Singh hailed this as “a picture of India’s dreams coming true,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to indigenous defense production. He declared, “No ship for the Indian Navy will be built abroad in the future. We will build our ships in India itself,” signaling a resolute shift toward self-reliance.
INS Udaygiri, the 100th ship designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), and INS Himgiri, the first P17A frigate from GRSE, embody five decades of indigenous warship design expertise. With 75% indigenous content, these frigates support over 200 MSMEs, creating approximately 4,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs, aligning with India’s vision of a robust domestic defense ecosystem.
The “Floating F-35”: Advanced Features of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri
Rajnath Singh’s comparison to the F-35 highlights the frigates’ state-of-the-art technology, positioning them as “invincible guardians of our seas.” These 6,700-ton vessels, successors to the Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates, incorporate significant advancements in design, stealth, and weaponry, making them capable of executing a full spectrum of maritime missions in blue-water conditions. Key features include:
- Stealth Capabilities: Reduced radar cross-sections and advanced stealth features minimize detection, enhancing survivability in hostile environments.
- Weapon Systems: Each frigate is equipped with eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, vertically launched Shtil surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm main gun, 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems, lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes, and indigenous rocket launchers.
- Advanced Sensors: The ships feature MFSTAR multi-mission surveillance radar, Shakti electronic warfare suites, airborne early warning radar, surface surveillance radar, and Humsa-NG sonar, enabling comprehensive threat detection and response.
- Propulsion and Management: A Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system and an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) ensure high speeds, fuel efficiency, and seamless operation. The Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and Combat Management System (CMS) enhance operational coordination.
- Modular Construction: INS Udaygiri, delivered in a record 37 months, showcases the efficiency of modular construction techniques, making it the fastest ship of its class post-launch.
These capabilities make the frigates versatile for air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic warfare, positioning them as critical assets for India’s maritime security. Rajnath Singh noted, “These warships will prove to be a game-changer in very complex and risky operations at sea.”
Strategic Significance: Safeguarding Maritime and Economic Security
India, with an 11,000-kilometer coastline and a strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), is naturally a maritime nation. Rajnath Singh emphasized that India’s prosperity and security are deeply tied to its seas, with the Navy playing a pivotal role not only in safeguarding borders but also in ensuring economic security. The IOR, a critical hub for global trade and energy routes, sees clashing interests among major powers, necessitating robust maritime preparedness. Singh highlighted, “Our energy requirements, oil, natural gas, all depend on the security of this region to a great extent. The Navy is a major pillar of our national economic security.”
The commissioning of these frigates strengthens India’s Eastern Fleet, enhancing its ability to counter threats in the Indo-Pacific, particularly amid rising tensions with China and Pakistan. The frigates’ advanced systems and indigenous design align with India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, enabling humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. For instance, the Navy’s swift rescue of 18 people, including eight Chinese nationals, near Kochi demonstrates its role as a regional first responder.
Operation Sindoor: A Testament to India’s Resolve
Rajnath Singh also referenced the Navy’s decisive role in Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. The operation, a cross-border offensive targeting terrorist hideouts in Pakistan, showcased India’s military precision. Singh stated, “Without getting provoked, after much thought, we gave an effective and precise response. We resolved to destroy terrorist hideouts by launching Operation Sindoor and executed it as well.” The frigates’ commissioning reinforces India’s readiness to respond swiftly to security threats, with Singh asserting, “India never believes in aggressive expansionism, but when our security is threatened, we know how to give a befitting reply.”
A Jab at Global Powers: The F-35 Analogy
Singh’s “floating F-35” remark, indirectly referencing the US’s advanced fighter jet, was a pointed assertion of India’s technological prowess. While the US operates the F-35, a fifth-generation stealth aircraft, India’s frigates match this sophistication on the seas, built entirely with indigenous technology. This comparison not only boosts national pride but also signals India’s ambition to join the elite club of nations with advanced defense capabilities. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users like @Indian_Analyzer calling it a “punchline” for India’s defense pride.
The remark also comes amid discussions about India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter project approved in May 2025 with a Rs 15,000 crore budget. While the US has offered F-35s to India, experts warn that foreign purchases could strain India’s budget and hinder indigenous programs like AMCA. Singh’s focus on “Made in India” frigates underscores the priority of self-reliance over foreign dependence.
Future Outlook: A Modernized Navy
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri is part of a broader modernization drive under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The Navy’s Warship Design Bureau aims to double its output to 200 ships in the next 25 years, with the remaining five Project 17A frigates—Dunagiri, Taragiri, Vindhyagiri, and Mahendragiri—slated for delivery by 2026. Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for new-age technology, stating, “Old thinking won’t work today. We need to anticipate new threats and keep creating new solutions.”
The frigates’ induction strengthens India’s position in the IOR, where geopolitical tensions, including China’s growing presence and Pakistan’s acquisition of Chinese J-35 fighters, demand vigilance. The Navy’s role in securing energy routes and trade lanes, critical for India’s oil and gas imports, underscores its economic significance.
Conclusion
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri marks a defining moment for India’s maritime strength and self-reliance. Rajnath Singh’s “floating F-35” analogy captures the essence of these advanced frigates—indigenous, powerful, and pivotal to national security. As India navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, these warships, equipped with cutting-edge technology and designed by Indian hands, send a clear message: India is fully capable of safeguarding its maritime boundaries and contributing to regional stability. With the Navy’s role expanding beyond defense to economic security and humanitarian missions, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri are not just warships—they are symbols of India’s pride and progress on the global stage.
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