View source for Nilgiri-class frigate (1972)

{{Short description|1972 subclass of British Leander-class frigates}}
{{hatnote|For the modern class of frigates built since the late 2010s, see {{sclass|Nilgiri|frigate (2019)|1}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}

{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= Indiaas marinefregat Udaygiri in Amsterdamse haven een van de bemanningsleden (, Bestanddeelnr 929-2592.jpg
|Ship caption= INS ''Udaygiri'' (F35) in Amsterdam on 8 July 1977
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=''Nilgiri'' class
|Builders= [[Mazagon Dock Limited]]
|Operators= {{naval|India|2004}}
|Class before=
|Class after= {{sclass|Godavari|frigate|4}}
|Subclasses=
|Built range=1966 – 1981
|In commission range=1972 – 2013
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed= 6
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=
|Total ships retired= 6 (INS ''Vindhyagiri'' was sunk but salvaged and later retired)
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type= [[Frigate]]
|Ship displacement=*2,682 tons (standard)
* 2,962 tons (full load)
|Ship length= {{convert|113|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{convert|13|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= {{convert|4.3|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 × {{convert|550|psi|abbr=on}} boilers
* 2 × 30,000 hp motors
|Ship speed= {{convert|28|kn|abbr=on}}
|Ship range= {{convert|4,000|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|12|kn|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement= 267 (incl 17 officers)<ref name=in-nilgiri>[http://indiannavy.nic.in/frigates_giri.htm Indian Naval Ships-Frigates-Giri Class<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215232507/http://indiannavy.nic.in/frigates_giri.htm |date=15 February 2008 }}</ref>
|Ship sensors=*Signaal DA05 / BEL PFN513 radar
* Signaal LW08 / BEL RAWL02 surface radar
* Signaal ZW06 / BEL RASHMI navigation radar
* Signaal M-45 navigation radar
* Westinghouse SQS-505 / Graesby 750 sonar 184M 
* Type 170 active attack sonar
* Type 903 radar ([[MRS-3]] [[fire-control system|system]])
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*2 × [[QF 4.5 inch Mk I – V naval gun|MK.6 Vickers 113mm guns]]
* 2 × [[AK-230]] twin 30 mm anti-aircraft guns
* 2 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|Oerlikon 20mm guns]]
* 2 × triple ILAS 3 324 mm torpedo tubes with [[A244-S|Whitehead A244S]] or the Indian NST-58 torpedoes
* 1 × twin-tube launcher for [[Bofors 375mm anti submarine rockets]] (in {{INS|Vindhyagiri|F42|6}} and {{INS|Taragiri|F41|6}} only)
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft= 1 [[Westland Sea King]] or [[HAL Chetak]]
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

The '''''Nilgiri''-class frigates''' were updated versions of the {{sclass|Leander|frigate|4}}, designed and built for the [[Indian Navy]] by [[Mazagon Dock Limited]] in [[Mumbai]]. Six ships were built between 1972–81. Vessels of the class formed the 14th Frigate Squadron. The lead ship {{INS|Nilgiri|F33|6}} was the first major warship to be built in India and was built in collaboration with [[Yarrow Shipbuilders]] of the [[United Kingdom]].

The class and its lead ship, INS ''Nilgiri'' are named for the [[Nilgiri Hills]]. Subsequent ships in the class are also named for hill ranges of [[India]].

When the British refused to provide license production of the radar suite, the Indian Navy teamed up with Signaal of [[Netherlands]] to license-build a similar radar search, tracking and fire control suite in India, which went into the latter five ships. Improved versions of the Signaal search radar continues to be fitted in later classes of Indian Navy ships. As delivered, the ships carried British [[Seacat (missile)|Seacat]] quadruple SAM launchers (one in  {{INS|Nilgiri|F33|6}}, two in the rest) and the first four ships had [[Limbo (weapon)|Limbo anti-submarine mortars]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cdr C.J.Meyer OBE,RN |title=Modern Combat Ships 1 - 'Leander' Class |date=1984 |publisher=Ian Allen Ltd |isbn=0 7110 1385 3 |page=53}}</ref> The Seacats were later replaced by Russian [[AK-230]] twin 30mm anti-aircraft guns, and the Limbo by ILAS 324&nbsp;mm triple torpedo tubes.

The last two ships, {{INS|Vindhyagiri|F42|6}} and {{INS|Taragiri|F41|6}} were modified significantly with the addition of a Sea King ASW helicopter, a collapsible Canadian hangar, ILAS 324&nbsp;mm triple torpedo tubes and a twin-tube launcher for [[Bofors 375mm anti submarine rockets]]. This re-design was done indigenously by the Indian Navy and gave it much needed experience and confidence in ship-design and modification. They were also fitted with an indigenous ASW fire control action information system which was a first for the Indian electronics industry. This project was led by Captain (later Rear Admiral) Prakash N Gour. The British categorically refused to extend their design warranty to the Indian modifications which nevertheless proved to be a success.

The ''Nilgiri'' class has been decommissioned by the navy, with the entry into service of the  {{sclass|Shivalik|frigate|0}}. Five ships have been decommissioned and [[INS Vindhyagiri (F42)|one]] sunk in an accident. INS ''Taragiri'' was the last ship of the class to be decommissioned, on 27 June 2013 in Mumbai, after serving 33 years in the navy.<ref name=bs>{{cite news|title=INS Taragiri bows out of service|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/ins-taragiri-bows-out-of-service-113062700251_1.html|agency=Indo-Asian News Service|newspaper=Business Standard|date=27 June 2013}}</ref>

==History==
In November 1960, construction of three ''Leander''-class frigates were approved by the government of India.{{sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=67}} The first frigate was ordered in July 1965 and the next two were ordered in September 1967.{{sfn|Hiranandani|2005|p=60}} Three more frigates were ordered in July 1970.{{sfn|Hiranandani|2005|p=58}} The ''Nilgiri''-class frigates served as the mainstay and workhorse of the Indian Navy during the 1980s and early 1990s. The last two vessels (''Taragiri'' and ''Vindhyagiri'') had more powerful engines than the earlier vessels.{{fact|date=July 2019}}

''Taragiri'' had a serious fire in July 1994, but was repaired and was back in active service in 1995. Westinghouse supplied the Indian Navy with ASW sonar systems, two hull mounted arrays and three variable depth sonar arrays which are installed inside towed bodies built by Fathom Ocean Ltd. Transducer elements in both cases are identical. {{INS|Udaygiri|F35|6}} underwent a refit at [[Naval Dockyard (Mumbai)|Naval Dockyard, Mumbai]]. The remaining vessels in the series were expected to have their armaments brought into line with later ships.{{fact|date=July 2019}}

{{INS|Himgiri|F34|6}} was used as a trial ship for the indigenous APSOH (Advanced Panoramic Sonar Hull) sonar.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-09-04 |title=Naval lab leads quiet revolution on sonars |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/naval-lab-leads-quiet-revolution-on-sonars/articleshow/165695.cms |access-date=2024-07-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Ships==
{| class="wikitable"
! Name
! Pennant
! Builder
! Laid down
! Launched
! Commissioned
! Decommissioned
! Comments
|-
| {{INS|Nilgiri|F33|2}}
| F33
| rowspan=6 | [[Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited|Mazagon]]
| 23 October 1966{{sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=96}}
| 23 October 1968
| 3 June 1972<ref name="cfw-8687">{{cite book |last1=Baker III |first1=A. D. |editor1-last=Couhat |editor1-first=Jean Labayle |title=Combat fleets of the world 1986/87 |date=1986 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=0853688605 |page=240 |edition=6th English |chapter=India}}</ref>
| 31 May 1996<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hiranandani |first1=G. M. |author-link1=Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani |title=Transition to Guardianship: The Indian Navy 1991–2000 |date=2009 |publisher=Principal Director of Administration and Lancer Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-1-935501-26-8 |page=197 |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/files/Transition-to-Guardianship-07Apr16.pdf |chapter=Commissioning and Decommissionings}}</ref>
| The hull was sunk on 24 April 1997, by a Sea Eagle AShM fired from a Sea Harrier Frs Mk.51 of the Indian Navy.
|-
| {{INS|Himgiri|F34|2}}
| F34
| 4 November 1968
| 6 May 1970
| 23 November 1974<ref name="jfs-0506">{{cite book|editor1-last=Saunders|editor1-first=Stephen|editor1-mask=Commodore Stephen Saunders|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006|date=2005|publisher=Jane's Information Group|location=Coulsdon|isbn=0710626924|page=318|edition=108th|chapter=India}}</ref>
| 6 May 2005<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhatt |first1=Arunkumar |title=INS Himgiri decommissioned |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/07/stories/2005050707080100.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=7 May 2005}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| The vessel holds the distinction of having the maximum number of days at sea in single commission and was the first to shoot down a pilotless aircraft in 1976. Captain K N Zadu, VrC, (Retd.) who served as her first commanding officer, was the chief guest at the decommissioning ceremony along with Commander Ravneet Singh who served as her last commanding officer.
|-
| {{INS|Udaygiri|F35|2}}
| F35
| 14 September 1970
| 24 October 1972
| 18 February 1976<ref name="jfs-0506"/>
| 24 August 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stampsofindia.com/lists/pmk/2007/mumbai-ship.jpg |title=32 years glorious service |publisher=stampsofindia.com |access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="ht-21oct10"/>
|
|-
| {{INS|Dunagiri|F36|2}}
| F36
| 25 January 1973
| 9 March 1974
| 5 May 1977<ref name="jfs-0506"/>
| 20 October 2010<ref name="ht-21oct10">{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Presley |title=Naval ship INS Dunagiri decommissioned |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/naval-ship-ins-dunagiri-decommissioned/story-cvYDm3pFnLa0EVuMKsvoRI.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=21 October 2010 |language=en}}</ref>
| Named after one of the Himalayan peaks. Her crest depicts the Osprey, a Himalayan bird and the ship's motto is 'Victory Is My Profession'.
|-
| {{INS|Taragiri|F41|2}}
| F41
| 15 October 1975
| 25 October 1976
| 16 May 1980<ref name="jfs-0506"/>
| 27 June 2013
| The last ship to be decommissioned.<ref name=bs />
|-
| {{INS|Vindhyagiri|F42|2}}
| F42
| 5 November 1976
| 12 November 1977
| 8 July 1981<ref name="jfs-0506"/>
| 14 Jun 2012 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://flotprom.ru/news/?ELEMENT_ID=114462 |title=Списан злополучный индийский фрегат F-42 Vindhyagiri |publisher=flotprom.ru |date=14 June 2012 |access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref><br> (15 Feb 2011 recovered)
| The ship suffered a collision with MV ''Nord Lake'' at Mumbai harbour on 30 January 2011 and sank after a fire on board.<ref>{{cite news |title=Naval warship sinks at Mumbai harbour |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/naval-warship-ins-vindhyagiri-sinks-mumbai-harbour/20110131.htm |work=Rediff.com |agency=Asian News International |date=31 January 2011}}</ref>  No casualties were reported. It was re-floated by TITAN Salvage and was decommissioned later with full honours in 2012.
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
*{{cite book |last1=Hiranandani |first1=G. M. |author-link1=Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani |title=Transition to Triumph: History of the Indian Navy 1965–1975 |date=2000 |publisher=Director Personnel Services and Lancer Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-1897829691 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Hiranandani |first1=G. M. |author-link1=Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani |title=Transition to Eminence: The Indian Navy 1976–1990 |date=2005 |publisher=Principal Director of Administration and Lancer Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=8170622662 }}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Nilgiri class frigate (1972)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060328234706/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Nilgiri.html Bharat Rakshak]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bCv4ekBAks Video of INS Dunagiri]

{{Ship classes of the Indian Navy}}
{{Leander class frigate}}
{{Frigates of the Indian Navy}}

[[Category:Nilgiri-class frigates (1972)|*]]
[[Category:Frigate classes]]

[[it:Classe Leander (fregata)#Classe Nilgiri]]