Rajnath Singh’s reference to the US fighter at the unveiling of warships suggests that India possesses a floating F-35.

Defence Minister Janthah Singh made a striking comparison between India’s state-of-the-art frigates — INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri — and the United States’ F-35 supersonic stealth multirole fighter jets, as the Navy commissioned the two warships on Monday.

“You launched the native F-35 warships today. The F-35, which lifts off into the air, is only found in one nation worldwide. Singh emphasized India’s increasing naval might by saying, “You have built an F-35 that sails in the sea.”

The F-35 fighter jets are considered among the most advanced combat aircraft in the world and were also used in the recent escalation between the US and Iran. Their capabilities extend beyond air-to-air combat, with advanced avionics, a powerful onboard computing system, and highly sophisticated integrated sensors.

In a same vein, the two multi-mission stealth frigates that were put into service today each include eight BrahMos missiles and a variety of cutting-edge armaments and sensors that were created by domestic producers.

“These warships are unmatched maritime defenders thanks to their weaponry and sensor systems. According to what I’ve been told, these warships also have a lot of technological capabilities. These two long-range destroyers are outfitted with cutting-edge equipment including supersonic BrahMos missiles, surface-to-air missiles, torpedo launchers, fire control systems, and combat management systems,” Singh continued.

The defense minister also emphasized the new frigates’ strategic significance in preserving India’s economic security, pointing out that the country’s energy and trade needs are heavily reliant on the security of its sea lanes.

For the first time, two frontline surface combatants built at two distinct shipyards have been commissioned into the Indian Navy at the same time with the commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri.

Project 17A, which draws on the heritage of the previous Project 17 (Shivalik-class) frigates, includes both ships. They can carry out a wide range of maritime tasks since they integrate notable advancements in design, stealth features, and weapon and sensor systems. With the help of hundreds of Indian micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), the frigates have an amazing 75% indigenous content and have created thousands of employment.