Context: Indian Navy commissioned two Project 17-A stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, in Visakhapatnam. This marks the Navy's first-ever simultaneous induction of two frontline warships.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Project 17-A; INS Udaygiri; INS Himgiri.
What are Stealth Frigates?
- Frigate is a medium-sized warship used by the Navy for escorting larger vessels, patrolling, and combat operations.
- Stealth frigate is designed with advanced stealth technology to minimise its radar cross-section and overall visibility to enemy detection systems making it harder to detect by radar, visual, sonar, and infrared methods.
Project 17-A Stealth Frigates:
- Project 17-A class (Nilgiri-class frigate) is the successor of the currently-operational Project 17 or the Shivalik-class stealth frigates.
- The stealth frigates have advanced weaponry, modern sensor systems designed to execute a full spectrum of maritime operations in blue-water conditions.
- The project will have 7 frigates. INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class. Other six ships of this class include- INS Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, Dunagiri, Vindhyagiriand Mahendragiri.
- INS Udaygiri (second ship of Project 17A) is built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. in Mumbai.
- INS Himgiri is constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri
- Enhanced capability: Both vessels are follow-on variants of the Shivalik-class frigates. They feature enhanced stealth capabilities, advanced weaponry, and modern sensor systems.
- Propulsion: Both frigates are powered with combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion using diesel engines and gas turbines that drive controllable-pitch propellers, and are managed through an integrated platform management system.
- The frigates are capable of dealing with both conventional and non-conventional threats. The frigates are fitted with:
- Supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missile system
- Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) system
- 76 millimetre (mm) upgraded gun
- Combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm rapid-fire close-in weapon systems
- Anti-submarine underwater weapon systems.
- Sensors suite include MF-STAR AESA radar, BEL’s HUMSA-NG sonar, the Ajanta electronic warfare system and the CMS-17A combat management system.
- Protective systems include the Kavach anti-missile decoy and the Maareech torpedo decoy.
- Enhanced stealth features: Radar cross-section is reduced through angled surfaces and flush-mounted weapons. Heat emissions are cut using infrared suppression systems. Noise is lowered with improved acoustic dampening. Use of composite materials contributes to making these ships less visible and less audible at sea.
- Each ship can support aircraft such as the MH-60 Romeo, ALH Dhruv Mk-III or Sea King.
Significance:
- Force-multiplier: With their versatile weapons and capabilities, these ships can play a crucial role in anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare. With their range and helicopter integration, they can patrol waters stretching from the Strait of Malacca to Africa, keeping sea trade routes secure.
- Indigenous development: With nearly 75% indigenous content, supported by several MSMEs, the frigates advance the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in defence manufacturing.
- Employment generation: The project reflects the scale of India’s defence industrial ecosystem, involving over 200 MSMEs and generating nearly 14,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The ships will be deployed with the Eastern Fleet, significantly boosting the Navy’s combat readiness and reinforcing India’s ability to protect its strategic and economic interests in the Indian Ocean Region.