The Indian Navy has taken delivery of Taragiri, the fourth Nilgiri‑class (Project 17A) advanced stealth frigate and the third such ship built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Ltd (MDL), marking a major step in India’s quest for self‑reliance in complex warship design and construction. Handed over at MDL, Mumbai, on 28 November 2025, Taragiri is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Taragiri, a Leander‑class frigate that served the nation for 33 years from 1980 to 2013.
Advanced design, stealth and propulsion
Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Mumbai), Project 17A frigates represent a generational leap over the earlier Shivalik‑class (P17) ships, with improved stealth shaping, survivability and combat systems. Built using integrated construction techniques, Taragiri meets its envisaged timeline and features a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system with diesel engines and gas turbines driving controllable‑pitch propellers on twin shafts, all monitored by a state‑of‑the‑art Integrated Platform Management System.
Weapons and sensors suite
Taragiri is equipped with a potent mix of indigenous and advanced weapons, including BrahMos supersonic surface‑to‑surface missiles, the MF‑STAR multi‑function radar and the MRSAM area‑defence missile complex. Its armament also includes a 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, 30 mm and 12.7 mm close‑in weapon systems, as well as rockets and torpedoes for anti‑submarine warfare, making it a versatile multi‑mission platform for surface, air and sub‑surface threats.
Compressed build time and remaining ships
Taragiri is the fourth Project 17A frigate delivered to the Navy within the last 11 months, reflecting significant learning‑curve gains at Indian yards. Experience from the first two ships has allowed the build period to be reduced to 81 months, compared with 93 months for lead ship INS Nilgiri, and the remaining three vessels (one at MDL and two at GRSE) are slated for progressive delivery by August 2026.
Indigenisation and economic impact
The frigate has an indigenisation level of about 75%, with more than 200 MSMEs contributing systems, equipment and services, underscoring the depth of India’s domestic defence industrial ecosystem. Project 17A has generated direct employment for roughly 4,000 people and indirect work for over 10,000, while showcasing the Navy’s sustained focus on Aatmanirbharta in both warship design and shipbuilding.
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Source: PIB
