Aatmanirbhar at Sea: Indian Navy Inducts Taragiri, a New-Generation Stealth Frigate
On 28 November 2025, the Indian Navy marked a powerful leap toward maritime self-reliance as Taragiri, the fourth Nilgiri-class frigate under Project 17A, was officially delivered at Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Limited (MDL). More than just the arrival of a new warship, the moment symbolised India’s accelerating journey toward Aatmanirbharta in naval shipbuilding. With cutting-edge stealth features, next-generation combat systems, and unmatched survivability, Taragiri stands as proof that India has firmly joined the league of nations capable of designing and building advanced warships entirely at home—the result of years of meticulous planning, precision engineering, and national pride.A Legacy Reborn: From INS Taragiri to Modern Stealth FrigateThe new Taragiri is a tribute to its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate that served the Indian Navy for 33 years, from 16 May 1980 to 27 June 2013. The legacy of courage, discipline, and service to the nation embodied by the original Taragiri now continues in a modern, technologically superior form. This reincarnation demonstrates the seamless continuity of naval tradition while embracing contemporary advancements. For generations of naval personnel, the name Taragiri carries both nostalgia and a renewed sense of pride, linking past valor with future maritime dominance.Project 17A: A Leap in Indigenous Naval DesignDesigned by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and supervised by the Warship Overseeing Team (Mumbai), Project 17A frigates represent a generational leap in indigenous ship design. Taragiri reflects a philosophy of integrated construction, combining advanced design principles, high automation, and stealth capabilities. These ships are tailored to address multifaceted challenges in maritime security, including surface warfare, anti-submarine operations, and air defense. The project’s emphasis on automation, survivability, and combat readiness positions India as a global player in modern warship construction.Advanced Capabilities: Stealth, Weapons, and PropulsionTaragiri is equipped with a sophisticated suite of weapons and sensors. This includes BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles (SSM), the MFSTAR and MRSAM complexes for multi-layered defense, a 76 mm SRGM gun, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems. The frigate also carries rockets and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare. These capabilities ensure the ship can engage multiple threats simultaneously, enhancing operational versatility.Taragiri’s construction underscores India’s growing efficiency in shipbuilding. While the first P17A frigate, Nilgiri, took 93 months to complete, Taragiri was built in 81 months, reflecting the experience gained from previous ships and improved workflows. With an indigenization content of 75%, over 200 MSMEs were involved in the project, generating approximately 4,000 direct jobs and more than 10,000 indirect jobs. This achievement not only highlights technical prowess but also demonstrates the broader socio-economic impact of India’s defense manufacturing.Project 17A frigates like Taragiri enhance India’s capability to secure its waters and project power in the Indian Ocean region. These versatile ships can operate across multiple domains, responding to traditional naval threats as well as modern challenges such as asymmetric warfare and regional tensions. By relying on indigenous design and production, India reduces dependency on foreign suppliers, gains strategic autonomy, and strengthens its position in international naval collaboration and exercises.
