News Analysis / Project 17A - Third stealth frigate 'Taragiri'
Published on: September 12, 2022
Source: PIB
Context:
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) recently launched the third Stealth Frigate of Project 17A “Taragiri”.
About
About Taragiri:
Important Features:
Base-design: It has been built with Niligir-like features and has a similar design to the previous two warships.
Stealth and modular profile: The two key features of the Taragiri ship are expected to be stealth and modular profile.
Undetectable: The vessel has been constructed using composite materials which can decrease its infrared signal and maintain a low radar cross-section, making it almost undetectable.
Missile system: It will be fitted with supersonic surface-to-surface missile system.
Air defence capability: The ship’s air defence capability, designed to counter the threat of enemy aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles will revolve around the vertical launch and long range surface to air missile system.
Gunfire support: Two 30 mm rapid-fire guns will provide the ship with close-in-defence capability while an SRGM Gun will enable her to provide effective naval gunfire support.
Torpedo and rocket launcher: Indigenously developed triple tube light weight torpedo launchers and rocket launchers will add punch to the ship’s anti-submarine capability.
What is Project 17A of the Indian Navy?
Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) were launched by the Indian Navy in 2019.
Objective: To construct a series of stealth guided-missile frigates, which are currently being constructed by two companies - Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
These guided-missile frigates have been constructed with a specific stealth design, which has radar-absorbent coatings and is low-observable which can make its approach undetectable for the enemies. The new technology also reduces the infrared signals of the ship.
Nilgiri: The first stealth ship launched under Project 17A was launched in 2019 and is expected to be commissioned in the Indian Navy by the end of this year.
Udaygiri: The second ship, was launched in May 2022, and likely to be commissioned in 2024.