India’s push towards self-reliant naval power and modernisation received another significant boost as the indigenous stealth frigate Taragiri, armed with cutting-edge weaponry including supersonic BrahMos missiles, is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy on Friday (April 3).

VISAKHAPATNAM: India’s push towards self-reliant naval power and modernisation received another significant boost as the indigenous stealth frigate Taragiri, armed with cutting-edge weaponry including supersonic BrahMos missiles, is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy on Friday (April 3).Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Taragiri represents a generational leap over earlier warship designs. With its sleeker form and significantly reduced radar cross-section, the frigate can operate with lethal stealth. Its commissioning will further strengthen the Indian Navy’s operational posture amid evolving geopolitical challenges.Ahead of the commissioning, TOI interacted with the crew of Taragiri to highlight the ship’s legacy and modern transformation, focusing on its advanced weapon systems and maritime capabilities.The earlier INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate, served the Indian Navy for over three decades from 1980 to 2013. The new Taragiri proudly carries forward that legacy while marking a quantum leap in capability. “The latest Taragiri combines stealth, automation, superior firepower and enhanced survivability. It symbolises India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and our ability to design and deploy advanced naval platforms indigenously,” said Captain Hemanth Gopal, Commanding Officer of the ship.Taragiri, the fourth frigate under Project 17A, is a 6,670-tonne warship embodying the spirit of self-reliance in warship design and construction. With indigenous content exceeding 75 per cent, the frigate demonstrates the maturity of India’s domestic industrial ecosystem, involving more than 200 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The project aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and supports thousands of Indian jobs.“I can proudly say that the stealth frigate Taragiri is among the most advanced ships in the world,” Captain Gopal said. “It is capable of multi-role operations across all domains. The ship is equipped with cutting-edge sonar technology, torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare, and indigenous systems across much of its combat architecture. When deployed, I am confident other navies will look at Taragiri and ask—‘Is this made in India?'”Powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, Taragiri is designed for high speed, high endurance and multi-dimensional maritime operations. “With advanced engines, sensors and weapon systems, the ship can seamlessly undertake anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-submarine missions,” said Commanders Siddhartha Gupta, Abhishek Bali and Akhilesh Sharma.Beyond high-intensity combat roles, Taragiri is also configured for modern diplomatic engagements and humanitarian missions. Its flexible mission profile makes it ideal for operations ranging from presence of missions to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), the commanding officers explained.Considered the most advanced indigenous warship in the Indian Navy, Taragiri carries a world-class weapon suite, including supersonic surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM), an advanced anti-submarine warfare suite, and the MF-STAR radar.The Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a vast and vital maritime zone, remains central to the Navy’s operational focus. “Taragiri is designed for high-speed, high-endurance missions. In emergencies, the ship can sprint rapidly across the IOR to respond and assist,” Captain Gopal added.As it prepares to join the fleet, Taragiri stands as a symbol of India’s rising maritime power—a modern guardian of the nation’s blue frontiers.