New Delhi, Apr 3 (NVI): India on Friday significantly bolstered its maritime combat capability with the commissioning of INS Taragiri, a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the Project 17A class, at Visakhapatnam. Commissioned in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the indigenously built warship underscores the country’s growing technological prowess, self-reliance in defence manufacturing, and its resolve to remain a credible and dominant maritime power in the evolving Indo-Pacific security landscape.
New Delhi, Apr 3 (KNC): INS Taragiri, the fourth potent platform of the Project 17A class, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on April 03, 2026. A masterclass in modern naval shipbuilding, this latest stealth frigate, with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes, has been designed by the Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, with the support of MSMEs, for multi-role operations. It utilises advanced stealth technology to achieve a significantly reduced radar signature, providing a lethal edge in contested environments.
With over 75% indigenous content and built in significantly reduced timelines, INS Taragiri exemplifies India’s shipbuilding prowess and strong public-private collaboration. Raksha Mantri, in his address, described INS Taragiri as not merely a warship but a symbol of India’s growing technological prowess, self-reliance, and formidable naval power.
“This ship is capable of high-speed transit and can remain deployed at sea for extended periods. It is equipped with systems designed to monitor enemy movements, ensure its own security, and if necessary, deliver an immediate response. It features modern radar, sonar, and missile systems, such as BrahMos and surface-to-air missiles, which further augment its operational prowess. From high-intensity combat to maritime security, anti-piracy operations, coastal surveillance, and humanitarian missions, it fits perfectly into every role, making it a unique naval platform,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.
Raksha Mantri asserted that India, with a coastline stretching over 11,000 kilometers, is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and it cannot view its development in isolation from the ocean. He added that approximately 95 percent of the country’s trade is conducted via maritime routes, and energy security is dependent on the sea, which makes building a strong and capable Navy not merely an option, but an absolute necessity.
Highlighting the immense significance of the maritime domain in the evolving security landscape, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian Navy maintains a round-the-clock presence across the Indian Ocean region amidst the global uncertainties. “The vast expanse of the ocean contains numerous sensitive points, where our Navy has consistently maintained an active presence to ensure the smooth flow of goods. Whenever tensions flare, the Indian Navy steps-in to guarantee the security of commercial vessels and oil tankers. It is not only safeguarding India’s national interests, but is also prepared to take every necessary measure to protect our citizens and trade routes across the globe. It is this capability that firmly establishes India as a responsible and formidable maritime power,” he said.
Raksha Mantri added that in the modern digital era, the vast majority of the world’s data travels through undersea internet cables, and any damage to them could disrupt global order. He called to move beyond a traditional perspective on maritime security and view it through a comprehensive, future-ready framework. “We must not limit ourselves to safeguarding our coastlines; we must also ensure the security of critical sea lanes, choke points, and digital infrastructure that are inextricably linked to our national interests. The Indian Navy is proactively engaged in all these security endeavors. This approach prepares us for future challenges. Whenever India constructs and deploys advanced vessels such as INS Taragiri, it serves as a guarantee of peace and prosperity for the entire region,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh also pointed out that whenever a crisis arises, be it evacuation operations or humanitarian assistance, the Indian Navy invariably stands at the forefront, serving as a symbol of India’s core values and unwavering commitment. “INS Taragiri will further augment the strength, values, and commitment of our Navy,” he said.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to make the Indian Navy one of the world’s strongest in the times to come, backed by an indigenous industry, Raksha Mantri stated that defence manufacturing in the country is marching ahead as a national mission under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership. “Today, we’re no longer confined to fulfilling our own requirements; we’re actively securing our place within the global supply chain. India’s participation is integral at every stage – from design and development to final deployment. It gives us confidence that we possess the capability to design not only our own security but also our future. INS Taragiri stands as an embodiment of this very vision,” he said.
Highlighting the transformation witnessed by the country in the last decade, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the Government has created an ecosystem for the youth and the industry that consistently fosters innovation, manufacturing, and exports. He stressed that India has no alternative but to pursue self-reliance in defence to stay ready in the present uncertain times. He added that the security efforts must not confine solely to the domains of land, sea & air, but extend to space, cyberspace, and economic spheres. He pointed out that guided by that very vision, the Government has taken several major policy decisions, the results of which are now visible.
Raksha Mantri commended Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and other Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) for their consistent positive contributions towards bolstering India’s security apparatus. He termed the 16 DPSUs as the hubs of Aatmanirbharta in defence. Raksha Mantri appreciated the efforts of DPSUs and the private sector in taking defence exports to an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in Financial Year 2025-26. “13-14 years ago, we used to export defence items worth Rs 1,200 crore. Today, it has reached almost Rs 39,000 crore. This is proof that India’s self-reliance is growing steadily, signifying that we are standing on our own feet,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted INS Taragiri’s rich legacy, recalling the erstwhile Leander-class frigate commissioned in 1980, which played a pioneering role in advancing India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities and operational innovation. Reflecting on the evolving maritime security environment, he underscored the growing complexities of the Indian Ocean Region, shaped by dynamic geopolitics, emerging technologies, and non-traditional threats. The CNS emphasised the Navy’s commitment to remaining a combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-ready force to safeguard national maritime interests, anytime, anywhere, anyhow.
The momentous event was marked by the ceremonial breaking of the Commissioning Pennant and the maiden hoisting of the National Flag on the ship. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan; Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla; CMD, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited Captain Jagmohan (Retd) were among those present during the commissioning.
About INS Taragiri
This Frigate 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. With indigenous content exceeding 75 percent, the ship highlights the maturity of a domestic industrial ecosystem that now spans over 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to the Government’s Aatmanirbharta initiative, supporting thousands of Indian jobs.
Beneath its sleek, modular exterior lies a powerhouse driven by a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion engine and managed by a state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System. This technological sophistication ensures the vessel remains a versatile asset, capable of carrying out any mission assigned to the ship, anywhere and at any time.
The ship’s combat punch is world class, featuring a lethal array of supersonic Surface-to-Surface missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air missiles, and an advanced indigenous Anti-Submarine suite. In an evolving Indo-Pacific security landscape, this commissioning sends an important geopolitical signal: India is now a premier builder of complex warships, capable of maintaining a credible posture to deter potential adversaries and contribute to collective regional stability under the vision of MAHASAGAR.
As INS Taragiri joins the Eastern Fleet on the Eastern seaboard, the ship carries forward the proud legacy of her predecessor, honouring a name that has served the nation for decades. The message delivered on the deck today was unmistakable: India’s oceans are guarded by ships designed by Indians, built by Indians, and operated by Indians. (NVI)
