Why in the News?

India has advanced its indigenous naval capabilities with the induction of INS Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate built under Project 17A.

ins udaygiri

About INS Udaygiri:

Overview: It is the second stealth frigate delivered under Project 17A, marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous naval capabilities.
Legacy Name: Named after the decommissioned INS Udaygiri (F35), a Leander-class frigate that served from 1976 to 2007.
Construction: Delivered on July 1, 2025, by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) just 37 months after its launch, making it one of the fastest deliveries in the project.
Indigenous Technology: Contains homegrown sensors and combat systems, showcasing domestic defence manufacturing.
MSME Contribution: Over 200 Indian MSMEs participated in construction, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
Combat Features:
- Blue-Water Capable: Designed for long-range operations, it can counter conventional and asymmetric threats, projecting Indian power in distant seas.
- Stealth Features: Incorporates radar-absorbent materials and a low-infrared signature, making it hard to detect.
- Arsenal: Equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range SAMs, a 76 mm main gun, and CIWS (30 mm and 12.7 mm).
- Efficient Propulsion: Uses a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system for both speed and efficiency.

Overview: It is the Indian Navy’s initiative to build seven stealth guided-missile frigates, launched in 2019 as a successor to Project 17 (Shivalik-class).
Shipbuilders Involved: Construction is shared between MDL (Mumbai) and GRSE (Kolkata) under Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
Modern Design Features: Ships feature stealth hulls, reduced infrared signatures, and modular weapon systems.
Timeline and Launches: The first frigate, INS Nilgiri, was launched in 2019, with all ships targeted for delivery by 2026.
Technology Upgrades: Includes advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and higher automation and survivability.
Indigenous Content: Project 17A emphasizes domestic components, supporting the Make in India defence policy.
Multi-Role Capabilities: Designed for anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, suitable for high-threat scenarios.

[UPSC 2016] Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?

Options: (a) Amphibious warfare ship (b) Nuclear-powered submarine (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel* (d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier