Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has achieved a significant milestone with the delivery of Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate in the Project 17A (P17A) series, to the Indian Navy. The delivery ceremony, which took place at the MDL shipyard in Mumbai, was marked by the signing of the acceptance document (D448) by Capt. Jagmohan, MDL’s Chairman and Managing Director, alongside Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Technical) at the Eastern Naval Command. The event was attended by several senior officials from both the Navy and the shipyard.
Udaygiri is part of India’s ambitious Make in India initiative, symbolizing advancements in indigenous warship construction. The P17A project, valued at ₹60,000 crore, includes the construction of seven stealth frigates by MDL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). These modern ships are designed to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, stealth technology, and advanced weaponry.
While the delivery has been heralded as a boost to India’s naval self-reliance, some defense analysts have raised concerns regarding the ship’s armament. The decision to utilize an older 76 mm turret has garnered attention, with experts suggesting it indicates a strategic balance between cost and operational reliability. The Navy appears to favor tried-and-tested systems, backed by extensive in-service experience, over increasingly complex and unproven technologies.
The delivery of Udaygiri coincides with India’s ongoing efforts to bolster its naval presence in response to rising Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean. Currently, 64 naval vessels are under construction, with a long-term ambition to develop a fleet of 200 ships by 2050. This marks a pivotal shift for India, evolving from a naval buyer to a builder, with the Project 17A series at the forefront of this transformation, highlighting the country’s capability to produce advanced combat ships domestically.
The successful handover of Udaygiri is expected to expedite the commissioning timeline for the remaining P17A frigates, thereby reinforcing India’s maritime position in the Indo-Pacific region. This development aligns with the Navy’s broader efforts to safeguard national interests amid a complex and contested maritime landscape.
