The Indian Navy on November 28, 2025 formally received INS Taragiri — the fourth frigate of the advanced Nilgiri‑class frigates under Project 17A. The ship was handed over by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), marking yet another milestone in India’s push toward self-reliant defence manufacturing.
Taragiri revives the name of an earlier warship — the original INS Taragiri (1980) — which served the Navy from 1980 to 2013. The new version, though, comes with massive upgrades in stealth, weapons, sensors, and overall combat readiness.
What Makes Taragiri Powerful — and Different
- Stealth & modern design: Taragiri is designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) with low radar cross-section, improved survivability, and advanced automation systems — a big leap ahead of older frigates.
- Heavy firepower: The ship comes equipped with supersonic cruise missiles (the potent BrahMos surface-to-surface missile), surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM), torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare, a 76 mm gun, close-in weapon systems (CIWS), and advanced radar and sensor suites — making it capable of handling threats from sea, air, and underwater.
- Flexible performance: With a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system and Controllable Pitch Propellers, Taragiri gains both speed and endurance — ideal for long-range, blue-water missions (far from the coast).
- High indigenous content: Around 75% of the ship is built with locally sourced materials and by Indian manufacturers. Over 200 MSMEs contributed to its construction — a strong boost to domestic defence manufacturing and a nod to the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative.
- Faster delivery: Learning from the first P17A ships, builders managed to cut down Taragiri’s build time. The ship was completed in 81 months — faster than the 93 months taken by the first-of-class.
What This Means for India’s Naval Strength — and Regional Dynamics
Taragiri strengthens India’s ability to operate anywhere in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). As a versatile, stealth-enabled platform capable of anti-surface, anti-submarine, and air defence missions, it adds a strong layer of deterrence. Analysts say this complicates strategic calculations for any nation aiming to challenge India’s maritime dominance.
With multiple Project 17A ships (like INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri) already in service, and more due by mid-2026, the Indian Navy is rapidly building a modern, capable, and largely home-grown frontline fleet.
Bigger Picture: Building a Modern, Self-Reliant Fleet
Taragiri’s induction is part of a broader push toward modernizing India’s maritime defence while boosting domestic manufacturing. The success of Project 17A underlines India’s growing shipbuilding expertise and commitment to self-reliance.
As more ships join the fleet, India’s capacity for power projection, sea-lane protection, and deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region will only grow. Taragiri is not just another warship — it’s a sign that India is building the navy of tomorrow, with greater strength, stealth, and self-sufficiency.
