Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: To add further punch to its growing naval fleet, the Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth frigate, INS Taragiri, on April 3.“As the fourth potent platform of the Project 17A class, Taragiri is not merely a ship; it is a 6,670-tonne embodiment of the ‘Make in India’ spirit and the sophisticated engineering capabilities of our indigenous shipyards,” the Navy said in a statement.The ceremony, scheduled to be presided over by defence minister Rajnath Singh in Visakhapatnam, will serve as a testament to the nation’s journey towards becoming a completely self-reliant naval power. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), INS Taragiri represents a generational leap over earlier designs, offering a sleeker form and a significantly reduced radar cross-section that allows it to operate with lethal stealth.The warship, delivered by MDL on Nov 28 last year, replaces an earlier Leander-class vessel of the same name that served from 1980 to 2013. The ship’s construction was completed in 81 months, reflecting improved efficiency.The ship’s weapon suite is world-class, featuring supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium range surface-to-air missiles and a specialised anti-submarine warfare suite. These systems are seamlessly integrated through a state-of-the-art combat management system, ensuring that the crew can respond to threats with split-second precision.With its indigenous content exceeding 75%, the ship highlights the maturity of a domestic industrial ecosystem that now includes over 200 MSMEs, contributing to the govt’s Aatmanirbharta initiative.Driven by a combined diesel or gas propulsion plant, INS Taragiri is designed for ‘high-speed – high endurance’ versatility and multi-dimensional maritime operations.Beyond its role as a premier hunter, Taragiri is built for the complexities of modern diplomatic and humanitarian crises. Its flexible mission profile makes it ideal for everything from high-intensity combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.Amid tensions in the Indian Ocean Region due to the ongoing Gulf conflict, INS Taragiri is expected to strengthen India’s maritime strike capability and territorial defence. With the growing presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean, India’s new stealth frigate will also add teeth to the Navy’s combat fleet.
