INS Taragiri: India got a big new warship on Friday when the Indian Navy officially brought INS Taragiri into service at a special event in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was there for the ceremony. The new stealth frigate is being seen as an important step for India’s sea strength and for the country’s push to build more defence equipment at home. Official government details say INS Taragiri is the fourth Project 17A stealth frigate and was commissioned on April 3, 2026.
After the warship entered service, Rajnath Singh said this was not just about adding one more ship to the Navy. He said it also showed how India is moving ahead in defence and becoming stronger as a country that can make its own modern military platforms. He said INS Taragiri also carries a message of peace and growth for the wider region. Rajnath Singh spoke about its name too and said the ship takes its name from one of the Himalayan ranges.
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Rajnath Singh Says the Ship Will Make India Safer
The Defence Minister said the new warship will make the Navy stronger and help protect India’s sea borders. He said it will help keep a close watch on enemy movement and stop threats before they grow. According to DD News, he told the gathering, “The 7,000-tonne ship, equipped with BrahMos and other missiles, can keep track of the enemy’s actions. It will ensure coastal surveillance of India’s long maritime borders and also engage in humanitarian missions.”
He also said the ship is a big example of India making more of its own defence systems. According to official details, more than 75% of the frigate is made with indigenous content. The government also said the warship was designed by the Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited with support from MSMEs.
Rajnath Singh said shipbuilding and defence production are now being treated like a “national mission” under the Modi government. He said INS Taragiri is proof that India’s homegrown defence power is getting better and that the country is moving ahead in Atmanirbharta.
Need for Stronger Navy
The Defence Minister said India cannot stay safe without a powerful Navy. Rajnath Singh pointed out that India has a coastline of 11,000 kms and seas on three sides. He then explained why this matters so much for daily life and the country’s future.
He said, “Our 95 per cent of trade happens through sea route, energy security also relies on this route. Therefore, a strong navy is not an option but a basic necessity,” the Defence Minister stated.
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Rajnath Singh added that the Indian Navy stays ready in all kinds of situations. He said the force stands by in important areas like the Persian Gulf and the Malacca Straits. He said it can help during emergencies and humanitarian crises too. Rajnath Singh also said, “INS Taragiri’s commissioning will give fresh impetus to India’s naval strength. In this digital age, maritime security must be seen in a future framework,” he said, while congratulating the Navy as well as the countrymen.
In earlier times, he said, oceans helped people and civilisations connect with each other. But now they are also deeply linked to national safety, sovereignty and strategy. He said, “Earlier, Oceans were a source of civilisational exchange, but in today’s era, a lot of factors like security, sovereignty and strategic interests depend on it. They have become the basis of connectivity and economic prosperity. Those nations with strong naval power command respect and are better placed to secure their strategic interests,” he stated.
