Taragiri (F41), the fourth ship of the Nilgiri-class frigates, will formally join the Indian Navy’s fleet in a commissioning ceremony on 3 April 2026, to be presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The ceremony will take place along the eastern seaboard in Visakhapatnam.

A Flagship of ‘Make in India’

In a press statement, the Indian Navy said that Taragiri is the fourth vessel in the Nilgiri-class (Project 17-A) and represents a significant advancement in indigenous shipbuilding. “As the fourth potent platform of the Project 17A class, Taragiri is not merely a ship; it is a 6,670-tonne embodiment of the ‘Make in India’ spirit and the sophisticated engineering capabilities of our indigenous shipyards,” the Indian Navy stated.

The frigate is built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. According to the Indian Navy, “The ship represents a generational leap over earlier designs, offering a sleeker form and a significantly reduced radar cross-section that allows it to operate with lethal stealth.” The indigenous content used in building the ship exceeds 75 percent.

Built for Stealth and Speed

Driven by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plant, Taragiri is designed for ‘High-Speed – High Endurance’ versatility and multi-dimensional maritime operations, the Navy said. Calling the ship’s weapon suite ‘world-class’, the Navy said that the frigate features supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles and a specialised Anti-Submarine Warfare suite. “These systems are seamlessly integrated through a state-of-the-art Combat Management System, ensuring that the crew can respond to threats with split-second precision,” the Navy added.

Taragiri is also built for the complexities of modern diplomacy and humanitarian crises. The frigate sports a flexible mission profile, making it ideal for everything from high-intensity combat to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

The fifth Project 17A frigate, Mahendragiri, being built by MDL in Mumbai, will also likely be delivered to the Indian Navy this year.