Twin warships launched to become part of force: Stealth frigates Himgiri and Udayagiri joins Indian Navy

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has commissioned indigenously built warships INS Himgiri and INS Udayagiri to provide double the attack power. These ships, armed with Brahmos missiles, will be crucial to India's maritime defence. The two ships, which are part of the upgraded Shivalik class, were commissioned at a ceremony held at the Visakhapatnam Naval Base under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

INS Udayagiri was built at the Mazagon Ship Dockyard in Mumbai and INS Himgiri was built at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. This is the first time that two warships built at two shipyards are commissioned simultaneously. 75 per cent of the components of both the ships were developed indigenously.

Udaygiri built in 37 months

• The main part of the ship (hull) was brought in small parts and assembled.
• The construction of small components was given to small companies
• The sequel to INS Nilgiri, which was commissioned in January
• The series followed by Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, Vindhyagiri, and the seventh ship, Mahendragiri

Eight Brahmos missiles on both ships

 Eight Brahmos missiles can be deployed on the ships. An additional eight missiles can be installed

 16 short-range surface-to-air missiles

 Barak missiles to shoot down aircraft

 Russian-made AK 630 gun and Italian deck guns to shoot down drones

 Will move silently without being seen by submarines

 Israeli primary radar to detect enemy movements

 Spanish air search radar, Indo-Israeli air defense system

 In addition to the Indian-made Dhruv, US helicopters like Sea Hawk are also available for surveillance and emergency missions