INS Taragiri Reinforces India's Maritime Strength: Rajnath Singh
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh officially inaugurated the domestically constructed advanced stealth frigate, INS Taragiri (F41), in Visakhapatnam.
This event serves to enhance the Indian Navy's influence on the Eastern Coast, encompassing the Bay of Bengal and segments of the Indian Ocean area.
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The initiation signifies a significant achievement in India's pursuit of maritime independence. In attendance at the ceremony were Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and other high-ranking naval officials.
Speaking at the event, Singh says, “A strong, capable navy is not an option, but a necessity, as our energy security depends on the seas.”
“Marine power is very important in achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 as envisaged by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi,” he further emphasised. Highlighting the strategic importance of naval strength and underscoring the role of naval platforms in maritime warfare, he says, “History tells us that without strengthening naval power, no country can be powerful”.
INS Taragiri, the fourth vessel constructed as part of the Project 17A initiative, signifies a major progression in the development and building of indigenous naval vessels, emphasizing the navy's shift toward a contemporary, prepared for combat military force. The project involves the construction of seven highly advanced stealth guided-missile frigates for the Indian Navy, with a significant emphasis on indigenous production, representing an improvement over the previous Shivalik-class vessels (Project 17).
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Commencing around 2017-18, the shipyard began the process of constructing the frigates, with deliveries scheduled to take place in stages. These frigates, designed by the Warship Design Bureau, are being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (four ships) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (three ships), boasting stealth capabilities and armed with BrahMos missile and Barak-8 air defense systems.
In terms of capabilities, the Project 17A frigates are engineered to perform a variety of roles to combat threats from air, surface, and underwater environments.
These ships are propelled by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, utilizing separate diesel engines for low-speed cruising and a gas turbine for high-speed propulsion connected to the same shaft via clutches.
The ship, constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, was built as part of the 'Make in India' initiative using more than 75 percent of locally sourced materials.
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The vessel is propelled by a CODOG propulsion system, which includes a more streamlined hull and a minimized radar cross-section, increasing its ability to remain undetected in hostile maritime environments.
The frigate is equipped with an array of weapon systems, such as high-speed surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, as well as a specialized anti-submarine warfare suite that utilizes an advanced Combat Management System for real-time threat evaluation and swift responses in air, surface, and sub-surface operations. In addition to its combat capabilities, the ship will also support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.