Why in news?
The Indian Navy has taken delivery of INS Taragiri, the fourth frigate built under the Project 17A programme. The ship was handed over by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai and will strengthen India’s surface fleet with improved stealth and indigenous technology.
Background
Project 17A is an ongoing initiative to construct seven advanced frigates for the Indian Navy. The programme builds on the earlier Project 17 (Shivalik‑class) by incorporating enhanced stealth features and state‑of‑the‑art weaponry. The ships are being built by two Indian shipyards – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata.
INS Taragiri is named after a peak in the Himalayas and revives the legacy of a Leander‑class frigate that served from 1980 to 2013. The new Taragiri was launched in September 2022 and underwent extensive outfitting and sea trials before delivery on 28 November 2025.
Key features
- Stealth design: The hull and superstructure are shaped to reduce radar cross‑section. Infrared and acoustic signatures are also lowered for greater survivability.
- Powerful sensors: The frigate carries an advanced combat management system and a suite of radars and sonars for detection of surface and underwater targets.
- Versatile weapons: Armaments include surface‑to‑surface and surface‑to‑air missiles, a 76 mm main gun, close‑in weapon systems, torpedo tubes and anti‑submarine rockets.
- Combined Diesel‑or‑Gas propulsion: A CODOG configuration allows the ship to switch between fuel‑efficient cruising and high‑speed sprinting.
- Indigenous content: More than 75 percent of the equipment is sourced from Indian vendors, reflecting progress toward self‑reliance in warship construction.
Significance
- Strengthening the fleet: The delivery of INS Taragiri adds a powerful frigate to the Navy at a time when maritime security challenges are rising in the Indian Ocean.
- Boosting shipbuilding capability: Project 17A has allowed Indian shipyards to adopt modular construction and incorporate complex systems, enhancing indigenous expertise.
- Promoting Aatmanirbharta: High levels of indigenisation support the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” policy by creating domestic supply chains and reducing dependence on foreign technology.
Conclusion
INS Taragiri represents the Indian Navy’s commitment to modernise its fleet with cutting‑edge warships. As more Project 17A frigates are commissioned, they will contribute to safeguarding India’s maritime interests and maintaining regional stability.
Source: Press Information Bureau
