New Delhi , August 26, 2025: Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), India's largest public sector steel producer and Maharatna company operating under the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, continues its crucial partnership with the nation's defense sector by supplying approximately 8,000 tonnes of critical-grade steel for the Indian Navy's advanced frontline frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri. During a ceremony presided over by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, these two frigates were commissioned into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam today on August 26, 2025.
SAIL played a crucial role in building these two advanced frigates for the Indian Navy. Partnering with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), SAIL supplied essential critical grade hot-rolled sheets and plates from its Bokaro, Bhilai, and Rourkela Steel Plants. By developing and providing critical-grade steel for the Indian Navy, SAIL has made a significant contribution to import substitution and defense self-reliance, directly supporting the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' initiatives and lessening India's dependence on imported special quality steel for defense requirements. Special Plate Plant at RSP alone has supplied over 100,000 tonnes of critical grade steel for defence applications like tanks, warships, and missiles.
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri powerfully demonstrates the strength and depth of a fully indigenous defense ecosystem - from the foundational steel to the intricate design and dedicated crew. SAIL's enduring partnership with India's defense sector is well-established, with a proud history of supplying critical-grade steel for iconic vessels such as the INS Vikrant, INS Nilgiri, INS Ajay, INS Nistar, INS Arnala, INS Vindhyagiri, and INS Surat, among others. This unwavering commitment solidifies SAIL's standing as a trusted national manufacturer and a vital collaborator in the country's ongoing naval modernization.
