India’s fourth Nilgiri-class frigate, Taragiri, has been delivered to the Indian Navy in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in Project 17A, a program aimed at producing a fleet of modern stealth frigates for future maritime operations. The ship’s handover underscores the advances made by India’s naval industry, particularly Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, in constructing sophisticated warships with improved stealth, sensor integration, and mission versatility. The new Taragiri revives the name of its 1980 predecessor but brings a generational leap in capability. Its design focuses heavily on signature reduction, featuring a streamlined superstructure, flush-mounted sensors, and measures to minimize radar and infrared emissions. Underwater, acoustic dampening and hydrodynamic refinement improve stealth and maneuverability. The frigate’s weapons architecture centers on BrahMos supersonic missiles for long-range strikes and the MF-STAR and MRSAM combination for high-end air defense. Additional weapons—including the 76mm SRGM, 30mm guns, remote weapon stations, torpedo tubes, RBU-6000 ASW rockets, and a hull sonar—equip the ship for layered surface, air, and undersea warfare. Built with high survivability standards and advanced networking, Taragiri is designed to operate effectively across wide maritime theaters, reinforcing India’s expanding naval presence.
