Today, two state-of-the-art warships — INS Udaygiri and INS Himagiri — were inducted into the Indian Navy. The historic ceremony took place in Visakhapatnam in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. For the first time, two major warships built at different shipyards have been commissioned into the Navy together.

Reflecting the success of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, INS Udaygiri has been constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, while INS Himagiri has been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata. More than 200 MSME companies contributed to their construction, providing direct employment to over 4,000 people.

These warships have been built using special materials that make them less detectable by radar. Each vessel weighs 6,670 tonnes, has a length of 149 meters, and a height equivalent to a 15-storey building. With a top speed of 52 km per hour, they can travel over 10,000 kilometers on a single refueling. They are capable of carrying Sea King helicopters, which can detect and destroy submarines as well as surface vessels.

In terms of firepower, both warships are equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, capable of striking sea and land targets up to 290 kilometers away. They also have the capability to intercept and destroy incoming missiles and drones. With advanced sonar systems, they can detect submarines deep underwater.

With the ability to closely monitor Pakistan and China’s activities across the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean, these modern warships will significantly strengthen India’s maritime security.