NOV 29:The Indian Navy received ‘Taragiri’, the fourth vessel of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) advanced stealth frigates, on 28 November 2025 at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Ltd (MDL), Mumbai. This marks a significant achievement in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in warship design and construction. Taragiri, designated as Yard 12653, is the third Project 17A frigate constructed by MDL and represents a substantial leap in automation, stealth, weapon integration, and overall survivability.
The ship carries forward the legacy of the original INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate that served the nation for over three decades from 1980 to 2013. The reincarnated Taragiri demonstrates cutting-edge naval engineering and stands as a testament to India’s Aatmanirbharta in warship development.
Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and supervised by the Warship Overseeing Team in Mumbai, the P17A frigates incorporate a generational enhancement over the earlier P17 (Shivalik) class. Built using the Integrated Construction methodology, the ship was delivered within the planned schedule, reflecting the maturing capabilities of India’s shipbuilding ecosystem.
The P17A class features a sophisticated weapons and sensor package that includes BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, MFSTAR radar, MRSAM air-defence system, a 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, and close-in weapon systems comprising 30mm and 12.7mm guns. Taragiri is also equipped with torpedoes and rocket launchers for robust anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Its propulsion system follows the Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) configuration with advanced controllable pitch propellers and an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
Taragiri is the fourth P17A ship delivered to the Navy within 11 months. Experience from constructing earlier vessels has shortened its build time to 81 months, compared with 93 months for the first ship, INS Nilgiri. The remaining three ships—one with MDL and two with GRSE—are scheduled for progressive delivery by August 2026.
With 75% indigenous content, the Project 17A programme has involved more than 200 MSMEs and created direct employment for about 4,000 individuals, with over 10,000 additional indirect jobs. The delivery of Taragiri underscores India’s rising engineering strength and the Navy’s steadfast commitment to Aatmanirbharta in maritime defence.
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