Key Facts and Data Points

  • Ship Name: INS Taragiri
  • Class: Project 17A stealth frigate (4th in series)
  • Indigenous Content: >75%
  • Builder: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL)
  • Supply Chain: Over 200 MSMEs
  • Propulsion: Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) plant
  • Armament: Supersonic surface‑to‑surface missiles, medium‑range surface‑to‑air missiles, advanced anti‑submarine warfare suite
  • Combat Management System: Integrated modern CMS
  • Stealth Features: Reduced radar cross‑section (RCS) and sleek hull design
  • Mission Profile: Combat operations, HADR, naval diplomacy
  • Strategic Role: Countering Chinese naval expansion and ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

Background and Context

  • Project 17A: Initiative to build seven advanced stealth guided‑missile frigates for the Indian Navy. Names are derived from Indian mountain ranges: Nilgiri, Himgiri, Udaygiri, Taragiri, Dunagiri, Vindhyagiri, Mahendragiri.
  • Purpose of Frigates: Versatile medium‑sized warships for escort duties, anti‑submarine warfare (ASW), anti‑air warfare (AAW), and anti‑surface warfare (ASuW).
  • Indigenization Drive: Aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat policy in defence, aiming to reduce dependence on imports and develop a robust domestic defence industrial base.

Significance for India / Governance / Policy

  • Strategic Deterrence: Enhances blue‑water capabilities, enabling power projection and safeguarding sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
  • Economic Impact: Engages >200 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), fostering technology transfer and skill development.
  • Policy Alignment: Supports the Defence Production Policy (2021) and the Make in India programme, emphasizing self‑reliance.
  • Regional Balance: Acts as a counter‑weight to the expanding Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) presence in the IOR.

Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions

  • Article 253: Allows Parliament to make laws for the implementation of international agreements, relevant for defence procurement agreements.
  • Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2022: Provides framework for indigenous procurement and offset obligations.
  • National Security Act, 1980: Empowers the government to take measures for national security, under which naval expansion falls.

References

  • Project 17A details and previous commissions (INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, INS Udaygiri)
  • Ministry of Defence press releases on indigenization
  • Strategic analyses on IOR security dynamics