'Taragiri' warship joins Navy fleet with BrahMos strike capability

Indian Navy commissioned its fourth stealth frigate, Taragiri (F41) on Friday, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The warship is built with more than 75 per cent indigenous content, highlighting the maturity of India's defence industrial ecosystem.

The 6,670-tonne warship is being positioned as a key symbol of the government’s ‘Make in India’ push and a major step forward in naval engineering capabilities. Taragiri represents a generational upgrade over earlier frigates, featuring a sleeker design and a significantly reduced radar cross-section, enhancing its stealth and combat effectiveness in maritime operations.

Taragiri is designed for ‘High-Speed – High Endurance’ versatility and multi-dimensional maritime operations, and is driven by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plant.


The ship’s weapon suite features BrahMos SSM, MFSTAR and MRSAM complex, 76mm SRGM, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems, along with rockets and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare. The ship is integrated with Combat Management System, ensuring that the crew can respond to threats with split-second precision.

Taragiri, delivered to the Indian Navy on November 25, is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate that was part of the Indian Naval fleet from May 16, 1980, to June 27, 2013. The latest warship is built for the complexities of modern diplomacy and humanitarian crises.

The warship is commissioned under Navy's Project 17A, a range under which ships are fitted with an advanced weapon and sensor suite compared to the P17 (Shivalik) class.

The remaining three ships of Project 17A (one in MDL and two in GRSE) are planned to be delivered progressively by Auguest this year.

Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi reiterated the Indian Navy's focus to continue to be a combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-ready force. Under this goal, he said, the Indian Navy has commissioned 12 ships, 1 submarine and 1 aircraft squadron since last year.

Today's commissioning will strengthen the Indian Navy's operational reach, presence and responsiveness, he said, adding that ‘Taragiri’ is a symbol of India's increasing self-reliance. The construction of this platform was completed in approximately 15% less time than that of the other ships of its kind.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted that Taragiri’ is a symbol of India's growing maritime power.

In Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambition of Viksit Bharat 2047, the role of marine power is extremely crucial, he said. "A country with a coastline exceeding 11,000 kilometres, our nation surrounded by the sea on three sides, cannot envision its development separate from the ocean," the defence minister said.

He highlighted that around 95 per cent of India's trade is conducted through maritime routes, along with the country's energy security, which is also dependent on the seas. "In such a scenario, it is clear that a strong and capable Navy is not merely an option for us, but a necessity," he said.

The Indian Navy continuously maintains its presence in the Indian Ocean, whether it is the Persian Gulf or the Malacca Strait. Rajnath Singh said that the Navy is a symbol of India's values and commitment, and the commissioning of INS Taragiri will further strengthen the Navy's power, values, and commitment.

The Taragiri is commissioned at a time when the world is facing major uncertainties amid the ongoing war between the US-Israel and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy trade, has been disrupted due to the ongling confict. Several Indian-flagged vessels, escorted by the Navy ships, have crossed the passage after negotiations with Iran.

"Whenever a situation of tension has arisen, the Indian Navy has ensured the security of our commercial ships and oil tankers. Our navy has proven that it is not only capable of protecting India's interests, but when necessary, it can take every step worldwide to keep its citizens and trade routes safe," Rajnath Singh said.

Amid the global uncertainties, the defence minister added that the country's defence ecosystem should not be limited to securing domestic shores, but also ensure the protection of critical sea lanes, choke points, and digital infrastructure that are linked to the national interests.