INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri: How the Nilgiri-Class Frigates Mark a Quantum Leap for the Indian Navy

Manoj Ambat, Editor in Chief, Strategic Vanguard
Aug 30
5 min read

When the Indian Navy commissioned INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri, it was not just another routine addition to its fleet. These warships represent the future of Indian naval power. They belong to the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) frigates, a series of advanced, stealthy, and multi-role ships designed to take India’s maritime capabilities to a new level.

Frigates have always been the workhorses of modern navies — capable of performing multiple missions, from escorting aircraft carriers to anti-submarine warfare and long-range strike missions. But what makes the Nilgiri-class unique is how they combine stealth, indigenous design, cutting-edge technology, and formidable firepower.

This article dives deep into why these new ships represent a quantum leap in capability, how they compare with the best frigates worldwide, and what their induction means for India’s strategic future.

1. The Role of Frigates in Modern Naval Warfare

To understand the importance of the Nilgiri-class, one must first appreciate the role of frigates.

Versatility: Unlike destroyers (larger, focused on air defense) or corvettes (smaller, coastal roles), frigates are designed to do everything — escort, patrol, anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.
Global Backbone:
- The US Navy is building its new Constellation-class frigates.
- The UK is rolling out the Type 26 (City-class).
- Japan is commissioning its Mogami-class.
- France and Italy developed the successful FREMM series.
For India, with two aircraft carriers and a strategic focus on the Indian Ocean, frigates are essential. They escort high-value units, protect shipping lanes, and operate independently in distant waters.

This makes the Nilgiri-class not just another ship, but a backbone capability for the Indian Navy in the coming decades.

2. From Shivalik to Nilgiri: The Evolution

India’s journey to building advanced stealth frigates began with Project 17 (Shivalik-class), launched in the 2000s.

Shivalik-class (Project 17):
- India’s first stealth frigates, inducted in 2010–2012.
- Incorporated sloped superstructures, reduced radar cross-section.
- Good step forward, but relied heavily on foreign systems (Russian Klub missiles, Western electronics).
The Need for More:
- Shivalik-class was successful but limited.
- The Navy wanted a ship that was stealthier, more lethal, and with greater indigenous content.
- Most importantly, it had to be modular and future-proof, able to integrate new weapons and sensors.
Project 17A (Nilgiri-class):
- Approved in 2015.
- Seven ships planned (four at Mazagon Dock, three at GRSE).
- Incorporates 70% indigenous content.
- Designed with advanced stealth shaping, composite materials, and digital shipbuilding techniques.

The commissioning of INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri shows that India’s vision is materializing.

3. Anatomy of the Nilgiri-Class: A Quantum Leap

So, what makes the Nilgiri-class so advanced compared to India’s older ships? Let’s break it down.

A. Stealth and Design

Angled surfaces and composite superstructures reduce radar signature.
Infrared suppression techniques minimize heat signature.
Noise suppression (quiet propulsion systems, acoustic dampening) makes them harder to detect by submarines.
Design philosophy inspired by best practices globally — similar stealth shaping to Japan’s Mogami and Europe’s FREMM.

This stealth capability allows the Nilgiri-class to “see without being seen.”

B. Sensors and Combat Systems

MF-STAR AESA Radar:
- Multi-function surveillance, tracking hundreds of targets.
- Comparable to radars used on destroyers.
Sonar Suite:
- Bow-mounted sonar + towed array sonar → deadly submarine detection.
Integrated Combat Management System (ICMS):
- Links all sensors and weapons for quick reaction.
Network-Centric Warfare Ready:
- Secure data links with other ships, aircraft, and land-based assets.

This makes the Nilgiri-class not just an isolated ship, but a node in a networked battlefield.

C. Weapons Package

Air Defense:
- 32-cell Barak-8 Long Range Surface-to-Air Missiles.
- Range: 90–100 km.
- Can neutralize enemy aircraft, drones, and supersonic missiles.
Strike Power:
- BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (range 450–600 km).
- Capable of both anti-ship and land-attack roles.
- Future: BrahMos-II hypersonic variant may be integrated.
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW):
- Lightweight torpedoes.
- RBU-6000 rocket launchers.
- Combined with sonar and helicopters → formidable ASW capability.
Naval Gun:
- 127 mm main gun.
- NATO standard, effective for surface and land-attack.

D. Aviation Capability

Flight deck and hangar can operate two helicopters.
Options:
- MH-60R Sea Hawk (best in the world, India acquiring 24).
- ALH Dhruv Naval Variant (indigenous).
Expands range for anti-submarine, reconnaissance, and strike missions.

E. Automation and Survivability

Highly automated systems → reduced crew requirements.
Advanced damage control features.
Comfortable living quarters for sailors and officers.

4. Comparing the Nilgiri-Class with Global Counterparts

How does the Nilgiri-class stack up against the best in the world?

UK Type 26 (City-class)

Focused on anti-submarine warfare.
Similar stealth shaping.
Nilgiri more cost-effective, faster induction.

Japan Mogami-class

Similar displacement (~6,600 tons).
Advanced automation.
Nilgiri’s BrahMos missiles give it superior strike reach.

France/Italy FREMM-class

Benchmark in Europe.
Nilgiri comparable in stealth and weapons.
Lower cost, greater strike flexibility.

China Type 054A/P

China’s mass-produced frigate.
Nilgiri has superior radar (MF-STAR vs older radars).
BrahMos gives India a decisive advantage in strike range.

In short: Nilgiri-class frigates are world-class, globally competitive, and strategically superior in South Asia.

5. Strategic Significance for India

The induction of Nilgiri-class ships is more than just a technological upgrade — it carries deep strategic implications.

Blue-Water Ambitions

India aspires to be a blue-water navy capable of operating across oceans.
Nilgiri-class expands long-range operations, escorting aircraft carriers and task group

Countering China

China’s naval expansion is massive — over 350 warships, with global presence.
Nilgiri-class ensures India can deter and counter Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean.

Carrier Escort Role

India’s aircraft carriers (INS Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya) need escorts.
Nilgiri-class is ideal for fleet defense, especially against submarines and aircraft.

Indigenous Capability

Built at Mazagon Dock (Mumbai) and GRSE (Kolkata).
Over 70% indigenous content — a boost for India’s defense industry.
Supports thousands of jobs and technology transfer.

6. What the Future Holds

By 2030, all 7 Nilgiri-class ships will be operational.
They will form the backbone of India’s frigate force.
Together with destroyers (Visakhapatnam-class), aircraft carriers, and submarines, they will give India one of the most modern navies in the Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion

The commissioning of INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri is more than a ceremonial event. It is a powerful statement that India is entering a new era of naval capability.

The Nilgiri-class frigates combine stealth, advanced sensors, long-range weapons, and indigenous design to deliver a platform that can rival — and in some cases surpass — the best frigates in the world.

They mark India’s transition from a buyer’s navy to a builder’s navy, strengthening both military capability and industrial self-reliance.

As the Indian Ocean becomes the center of global geopolitics, these ships will play a decisive role in shaping India’s security and strategic influence.

With the Nilgiri-class, the Indian Navy has taken a quantum leap forward.

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