NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth frigate, Taragiri (F41), on April 3 in a significant milestone for India’s growing maritime capabilities. The ceremony, to be presided over by defence minister Rajnath Singh, is being seen as a defining moment in India’s journey towards becoming a self-reliant naval power.The induction of Taragiri is not just the addition of another warship to the fleet. It represents a broader shift in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, showcasing the country’s ability to design, build and deploy advanced naval platforms indigenously.
All about stealth frigate ‘Taragiri’
According to an official statement, Taragiri, the fourth frigate under the Project 17A class, is a 6,670-tonne warship that embodies the spirit of self-reliance under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, the frigate marks a generational leap over earlier designs. It features a sleeker profile and significantly reduced radar cross-section, enhancing its stealth capabilities and allowing it to operate with greater survivability in contested environments.With indigenous content exceeding 75%, the ship highlights the maturity of a domestic industrial ecosystem that now spans over 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to the GoI’s Aatmanirbharta initiatives supporting thousands of jobs.
Driven by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plant, Taragiri is designed for ‘High-Speed – High Endurance’ versatility and multi-dimensional maritime operations. The warship is equipped with a world-class weapons and sensor suite, designed to deliver high precision and rapid response in combat situations. Its arsenal includes supersonic surface-to-surface missiles such as BrahMos, medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) systems, and MF-STAR radar.It also features a dedicated anti-submarine warfare suite with torpedoes and rockets, along with a 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount and close-in weapon systems for layered defence.These systems are integrated through a modern combat management system, enabling rapid threat detection and response with high precision.
Legacy and modern transformation
The new Taragiri carries forward the legacy of the earlier INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate that served the Indian Navy from 1980 to 2013 for over three decades.The latest iteration represents a “quantum leap” in naval technology, combining stealth, firepower, and automation with improved survivability, highlighting how far India’s naval design and shipbuilding capabilities have evolved.Built under the philosophy of integrated construction, Project 17A warships have been delivered within envisaged timelines, reflecting improved efficiency in indigenous defence manufacturing. The commissioning of ‘Taragiri’ comes as India continues to strengthen its naval presence amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
