Visakhapatnam, 03 April (HS): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commission the indigenously built advanced stealth frigate Taragiri in Visakhapatnam on Friday, highlighting the strategic importance of India's eastern seaboard.
According to an official source from the Eastern Naval Command, the commissioning ceremony will be held at the naval dockyard in the presence of senior naval officials and other dignitaries.
In a post on X on Thursday, the Defence Minister said he would be in Visakhapatnam to commission the advanced stealth frigate and noted that the event highlights the strategic and maritime importance of India’s eastern seaboard. He also stated that the commissioning reflects the Indian Navy’s continued focus on strengthening combat readiness and operational capability.
Taragiri is the fourth platform under Project 17A and is a 6,670-tonne warship built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai. The vessel reflects advanced indigenous design and engineering capabilities.
The warship has been constructed with a sleeker structure and a significantly reduced radar cross-section, enabling stealth operations and improving survivability in complex maritime environments.
With indigenous content exceeding 75 per cent, the project reflects the growth of India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. More than 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were involved in the project, supporting employment generation across the sector.
Taragiri is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, enabling both high-speed and long-endurance operations suited for multiple naval missions.
The frigate is equipped with advanced weapon systems, including supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles and an anti-submarine warfare suite. These systems are integrated through a modern combat management system designed to enable quick and precise operational responses.
Apart from combat operations, the ship is also designed to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, enhancing its operational flexibility during both peace and conflict situations.
The commissioning of Taragiri underlines the Indian Navy’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities as a combat-ready and self-reliant force focused on safeguarding national maritime interests, according to the official release.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
