Latest news with #navalmodernisation
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian Navy set to commission frontline stealth frigates Udaygiri and Himgiri
Vishakhapatnam: The Indian Navy is preparing for the simultaneous commissioning of two advanced frontline frigates -Udaygiri (F35) and Himgiri (F34) on August 26, as per an official statement. Notably, this will be the first time that two major surface combatants from two prestigious Indian Shipyards are being commissioned at the same time at Visakhapatnam. The Navy in the statement noted that the event underscores India's accelerating naval modernisation and its ability to deliver sophisticated warships from multiple shipyards. The milestone showcases the success of the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives in the defence sector. Udaygiri, the second ship of the Project 17A stealth frigates, has been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, while Himgiri is the first of P17A ships being constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Kolkata. In another major milestone for the Indian Navy, Udaygiri is the 100th ship designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau. Udaygiri and Himgiri represent a generational leap over earlier designs. Displacing about 6,700 tons, the P17A frigates are roughly five per cent larger than their predecessor Shivalik-class frigates and yet incorporate a sleeker form, with a reduced radar cross section. According to the statement, they are powered by Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants using diesel engines and gas turbines that drive controllable-pitch propellers and are managed through an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). The weapon suite includes supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, 76 mm MR Gun and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm Close-in Weapon Systems and the Anti-submarine/ Underwater weapon systems. Both ships are the result of an industrial ecosystem spanning over 200 MSMEs, supporting approximately 4,000 direct jobs and more than 10,000 indirect jobs. The commissioning of Udaygiri and Himgiri underscores the Navy's commitment towards self-reliance in ship design and construction and follows the commissioning of other indigenous platforms, including destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri, submarine INS Vaghsheer, ASW Shallow Water Craft INS Arnala, and Diving Support Vessel INS Nistar, all in 2025 alone. Rigorous sea trials have validated the frigates' hull, machinery, firefighting, damage control, navigation and communication systems, ensuring they are ready for operational deployment. The statement highlighted that the forthcoming ceremony at Visakhapatnam will thus be more than a naval ritual; it will be a celebration of India's journey towards a robust and self-sufficient maritime defence ecosystem. As the nation watches the two grey hulls take their place in the fleet, the message will be clear- India's oceans are guarded by ships built in India, designed by Indians and staffed by Indians - a true embodiment of the Make in India initiative and a beacon of the country's rising maritime power.
South China Morning Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Aircraft carrier visit gives Hong Kong a national security education boost
The much-awaited visit of China's first fully domestically built aircraft carrier kicked off yesterday with a great deal of public excitement – and symbolic significance. The arrival of the mighty Shandong and its accompanying strike group is not only a showcase of the country's military prowess and naval modernisation, but also a timely opportunity for patriotic and national security education. Unlike the Liaoning , a refitted Ukrainian vessel commissioned in 2012, the visiting carrier – named after the eastern province of Shandong – is the first to have been independently designed, built and equipped by China. When the 70,000-tonne warship sailed into Hong Kong waters yesterday morning, it was flanked by missile destroyers Yanan and Zhanjiang and missile frigate Yuncheng. On the deck of the carrier were white-clad navy personnel neatly arranged in the shape of the Chinese characters for 'with national security, our homes are safe'. The visit was also live-streamed for the first time by the official military social media account China Bugle, attracting more than 15 million views. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said residents could experience the magnificence and advanced nature of the nation's modern naval vessels and gain a deeper understanding of the achievements of national defence modernisation. 'This visit represents national defence and security safeguarding high-quality development, demonstrating that national security is rock-solid,' he said. The choice of Hong Kong for Shandong's inaugural public opening underlines the special role of the special administrative region. Arriving shortly after the 28th anniversary of the reunification with the motherland and the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the national security law here, the five-day charm offensive goes beyond fostering goodwill and bonding with local residents and reflects the city's place in the national defence strategy and the importance of national security to the city. The visit comes days before the start of commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the war against Japan. It also followed the joint combat drill by the Shandong and Liaoning in the western Pacific Ocean, in what was described as an exercise to test their far-sea defences and joint operational capabilities. A series of open tours and cultural exchange activities will be held, with at least 10,000 people given the opportunity to board the vessels. The tickets for ship visits were snapped up within a minute earlier this week, leaving many enthusiasts crowding along the harbour to catch a glimpse of the incoming fleet. The elation and overall experience can help reinforce the message of safeguarding national security and instil a stronger sense of national identity and pride.
