By A Correspondent

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): India, on April 3, 2026, inducted its advanced, stealth frigate, INS Taragiri, into the navy, boosting its deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region against the growing presence of Chinese warships and Pakistan’s maritime force.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducted INS Targiri, the fourth of the Project 17A frigates, at a ceremony in the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The 6,670-tonne frigate, built by the state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and aided by several domestic defence manufacturers, was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, showcasing the nation’s shipbuilding prowess.

The frigate is designed for multi-role maritime operations and a masterclass in modern warship building, the Indian Navy said in a statement after the commissioning ceremony.

The warship commissioning was attended, among others, by India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Eastern Naval Commander Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, and MDL Chairman and Managing Director Captain Jagmohan (Retd).

The warship “utilises advanced stealth technology to achieve a significantly reduced radar signature, providing a lethal edge in contested environments,” the statement said.

With over 75% indigenous content and built in significantly reduced timelines, INS Taragiri is a product of strong public-private collaboration in warship building.

Rajnath Singh, 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,” Rajnath Singh said.

The warship features modern radar, sonar, and missile systems, such as BrahMos cruise missiles 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,” he said.

“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 added.

Reiterating the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to make the Indian Navy one of the world’s strongest in the times to come, backed by an indigenous industry, the Defence Minister said defence manufacturing in the country was marching ahead as a national mission.

“Today, we’re no longer confined to fulfilling our own requirements; we’re actively securing our place within the global supply chain,” Rajnath Singh said.

“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.

Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, in his address, 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 Navy chief emphasised the Indian maritime force’s commitment to remaining a combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-ready force to safeguard national maritime interests, anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

INS Taragiri represented a generational leap over earlier designs, offering a sleeker form and a significantly reduced Radar Cross-Section, allowing it to operate with lethal stealth, the Indian Navy statement said.

The warship highlighted the maturity of a domestic industrial ecosystem that now spans over 200 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to the government’s Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance) initiative, supporting thousands of Indian jobs, it said.

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, it added.

“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 Indian Navy said.

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,” it said.

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.

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