Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Indian Navy, announced on April 3 that the commissioning of the warship Taragiri represents a major enhancement to the Navy's operational strength and India's growing self-reliance.
He emphasised the Navy's vision of remaining a combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-ready force. Over the past year, the Navy has inducted 12 ships, one submarine, and an aircraft squadron.
“The Indian Navy’s focus is clear: to continue to be a combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-ready force,” Admiral Tripathi said.
He added, “Under this goal, with the help of the defence ministry, the Indian Navy has commissioned 12 ships, one submarine and one aircraft squadron since last year. Today’s commissioning will strengthen the Indian Navy’s operational reach, presence and responsiveness. With its strong combat capabilities and state-of-the-art systems, Taragiri is a symbol of India’s increasing self-reliance. This ship has more than 75% indigenous content. The construction of this platform was completed in approximately 15% less time than that of the other ships of its kind.”
The advanced stealth frigate INS Taragiri was formally commissioned in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, in a ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and senior naval officers.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the Navy’s vital role in protecting India’s maritime interests, including securing critical sea lanes, choke points, and digital infrastructure and ensuring the safety of commercial vessels and oil tankers during periods of tension.
He noted the Navy maintains a continuous presence from the Persian Gulf to the Malacca Strait and actively participates in crisis situations such as evacuations and humanitarian assistance. Singh underlined the importance of a strong navy for India's development and energy security.
He congratulated the Indian Navy and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited on the commissioning of INS Taragiri, describing it as a symbol of India’s expanding maritime power.
The induction of Taragiri is significant amid the rising strategic and maritime importance of India’s eastern seaboard, driven by evolving regional security challenges and India's growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
As the fourth vessel in the Project 17A class, Taragiri is a 6,670-tonne platform showcasing the ‘Make in India’ initiative and the advanced capabilities of domestic shipyards.
Constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, the frigate features a sleeker design and a substantially reduced Radar Cross-Section, enabling it to operate with enhanced stealth capabilities.
With over 75% indigenous content, the ship reflects the maturity of India's domestic industrial sector, which involves more than 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, contributes to government self-reliance programmes, and supports thousands of Indian jobs.