
India’s “Floating F-35s” Join the Navy
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned two advanced stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, into the Indian Navy at the Eastern Naval Command, marking a notable stride in the nation’s maritime strength.
India’s Self-Reliance in Shipbuilding
Highlighting India’s focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat, Singh declared that no future naval ship will be built abroad, noting that INS Tamal was the last foreign-built vessel. INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri are the 100th and 101st warships designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, each featuring over 75 percent indigenous content and delivered by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders in Kolkata, respectively.
The “Floating F-35” Comparison
Singh offered a striking analogy, stating: “One country has a flying F-35, and you have built a floating F-35, that also made in India,” comparing the frigates’ stealth and capability to the U.S. F-35 fighter jet.
Enhanced Capabilities and Strategic Reach
These Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) frigates boast advanced stealth features, reduced radar signatures, sensor suites, BrahMos missiles, surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, and modern combat systems. Commissioning both ships simultaneously—built in different shipyards—is a historic first and significantly enhances the Indian Navy’s operational flexibility and regional maritime reach.
Symbol of Indigenous Defense Advancement
The dual commissioning underscores India’s growing defense manufacturing confidence, blending cutting-edge naval design with domestic production. Singh emphasized that these ships would serve as “invincible guardians of our seas,” reinforcing the Navy’s readiness for complex and high-stakes maritime missions.