Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), India’s largest public sector steel producer and a Maharatna company under the Ministry of Steel, has once again reaffirmed its role in strengthening the nation’s defense capabilities. The company supplied nearly 8,000 tonnes of critical-grade steel for the Indian Navy’s advanced frontline frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, which were formally commissioned today at Visakhapatnam in the presence of Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.
The indigenously built frigates, developed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), relied heavily on SAIL’s supply of hot-rolled sheets and plates manufactured at its Bokaro, Bhilai, and Rourkela steel plants. The Special Plate Plant at Rourkela alone has contributed over 1,00,000 tonnes of critical-grade steel over the years for tanks, warships, and missiles, underscoring SAIL’s central role in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
By delivering specialized steel for these projects, SAIL has helped advance import substitution and bolster the nation’s self-reliance goals under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. The company’s capability to produce such high-grade steel domestically reduces dependence on imports and provides strategic assurance for the armed forces.
The commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri stands as a powerful symbol of India’s maturing indigenous defence ecosystem, built on a foundation of domestic steel, advanced design, and the commitment of skilled shipbuilders and naval personnel.
Over the years, SAIL has been a trusted partner in the Navy’s modernisation efforts, supplying critical steel for landmark vessels including INS Vikrant, INS Nilgiri, INS Ajay, INS Nistar, INS Arnala, INS Vindhyagiri, and INS Surat, among others.
