INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that India has full power to protect its sea borders and will give a quick and strong answer in any situation. Singh was speaking at the big event where two new warships, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, joined the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam. He praised everyone who worked hard for this achievement and said it was a dream of India that is now coming true.
He said, “I express my heartfelt appreciation to all those who, with complete dedication, are engaged in the service of the nation. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to the officers of the Indian Navy, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited, and to all my fellow countrymen. Today, I see this as a picture of India’s dreams coming true, as well as a testimony to our vision and commitment.”
He also explained why Visakhapatnam was chosen for the ceremony and said, “If there was one city chosen in the entire country to set a new idea in motion on such a global occasion, it was Visakhapatnam. Whenever someone aspires to do something big and transformative in life, they choose places that are strategically and culturally strong — and that is why Visakhapatnam was chosen.”
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The Defence Minister focused on how much stronger India’s Navy is becoming. According to Asianet news, he said clearly, “India is fully capable of safeguarding its maritime boundaries and is prepared to respond swiftly and decisively under any circumstances. Friends, with the commissioning of these two warships, the Indian Navy has been further strengthened as a true Blue Water Navy.”
He said the Navy is now ready not only for coastal defense but also for big operations far away in the Indian Ocean. Singh explained, “We are now equipped not only to secure our coastal areas but also to operate in the farthest reaches of the Indian Ocean — whether it is combating piracy, tackling smuggling and illegal activities, countering maritime terrorism, or providing relief in the aftermath of natural disasters. With their advanced features and multi-role capabilities, our warships will enable swift and effective action in every situation.”
He also called the commissioning of the ships a very big step for India’s goal of self-reliance. He said, “The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri is a visual depiction of our dream of a self-reliant India coming true. It is also proof of our vision and commitment. I congratulate the Indian Navy on this occasion…”
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INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri: Features
Rajnath Singh also spoke about the names of the new warships and what they mean. He said, “Udaygiri, which symbolises the rising sun, reminds us that every new morning brings fresh energy, new challenges, and new opportunities. On the other hand, the name Himgiri, which represents the steadfast and immovable power of the Himalayas, reminds us that even amidst the waves of the ocean, the Indian Navy stands firm like the mighty Himalayas.”
He reminded that the last foreign-made ship India ordered was INS Tamal, and now with these ships, India has moved fully towards making its own warships. Singh explained that the new ships have powerful weapons and advanced systems.
He said, “These warships have been built entirely in India. Their weapons and sensor packages make them the invincible guardians of our seas. I have been informed that several advanced capabilities have also been integrated into these warships. They are equipped with long-range strike weapons, supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, rocket launchers, torpedo launchers, combat management systems, and fire-control systems… all state-of-the-art and indispensable technologies.”
He added with confidence, “I am confident that these two warships will prove to be game-changers in undertaking some of the most complex and high-risk operations at sea. Friends, these ships will not only strengthen India’s security architecture but also enhance our ability to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions with greater strength. I believe that their commissioning is also a step towards reinforcing our Neighbourhood First policy and our vision of SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.”
At the end of his speech, he called the event historic and emotional. He said, “In the same way, today we are establishing a new milestone here in this region. The journey of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, which begins today from Visakhapatnam, is not just an ordinary journey. It is the journey of India’s pride and progress.”
