April 03, New Delhi: In a defining moment for India's maritime sovereignty, the Indian Navy commissioned its latest stealth frigate, INS Taragiri, in Visakhapatnam today, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presiding over the ceremony.
Describing the ship as a "legacy reborn and power redefined," the Navy highlighted Taragiri as a journey of strength, stealth, and indigenous excellence, reflecting India's rise as a formidable maritime power.
Captain Hemanth Gopal, commanding officer of INS Taragiri, said,
"The feeling I have is of pride for what my team has achieved — to take a ship built by MDL and put soul into it, making a fantastic warship that will outlive most of us, 35-40 years into the future. From the guns to the missiles to the torpedoes and sonar, everything is state-of-the-art — the best India and the world have to offer. This ship is as Indian as it can get."
As the fourth platform under Project 17A, INS Taragiri displaces 6,670 tonnes and embodies the 'Make in India' spirit. With over 75% indigenous content, the ship showcases the maturity of a domestic industrial ecosystem spanning more than 200 MSMEs, supporting thousands of jobs.
Equipped with a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion plant, Taragiri is designed for high-speed, high-endurance operations across multi-dimensional maritime missions. Its world-class weapon suite includes supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, and advanced anti-submarine warfare systems.
Beyond combat roles, the frigate is built to address modern diplomatic challenges and humanitarian crises, symbolizing India's strategic and technological self-reliance.
