PROJECT 17A AND INS TARAGIRI

Taragiri, the indigenously-designed Nilgiri-class stealth guided-missile frigate constructed by Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), was launched in Mumbai Sunday morning.

Taragiri is the third stealth frigate built as part of Project 17A under which a series of such guided-missile frigates are being constructed for the Navy.

2. Project 17A

• Project 17A is an Indian Navy project to build a series of stealth guided-missile frigates. The project is being undertaken by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)
• The first ship of the class, INS Nilgiri, was launched in 2019. The second ship, INS Himgiri, was launched in 2020.
• The third ship, INS Udaygiri, was launched in 2022. The fourth ship, INS Dunagiri, was launched in July 2022. The fifth ship, INS Taragiri, was launched in August 2022.
• The Project 17A frigates are designed to be more stealthy than the previous Project 17 Shivalik-class frigates.
• They have a low radar cross-section and are equipped with a variety of stealth features, such as radar-absorbent materials and reduced infrared and acoustic signatures.
• The sixth ship, INS Vindhyagiri, was launched by President Ram Nath Kovind on August 17, 2023
• The Project 17A frigates are also equipped with a more advanced weapons and sensor suite than the Shivalik-class frigates.
• They are armed with a 76mm main gun, two 30mm close-in weapon systems, eight Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles, 32 VL-SRSM anti-ship missiles, and two 16-cell vertical launch systems for various missiles. They are also equipped with a towed array sonar and a hull-mounted sonar.

2.1.Objectives of Project 17A

The Project 17A frigates are expected to be commissioned into the Indian Navy between 2024 and 2026. They will play a significant role in the Indian Navy's fleet modernization program

Key features and objectives of Project 17A include:

1. Advanced Technology: Project 17A destroyers are designed to incorporate advanced technology and modern systems to enhance their combat capabilities, survivability, and versatility.

2. Stealth and Survivability: These ships are expected to have reduced radar cross-sections and improved stealth features, making them less detectable by adversaries.

3. Weapon Systems: Project 17A destroyers are equipped with a variety of weapon systems, including advanced anti-ship and anti-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, torpedoes, and naval guns.

4. Aegis Combat System: Some reports suggest that these ships may be equipped with an indigenous version of the Aegis combat system, which provides advanced command, control, and communication capabilities along with missile defense capabilities.

5. Multi-Role Capability: The Project 17A destroyers are designed to have multi-role capabilities, allowing them to engage in a range of naval operations, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.

6. Indigenous Construction: The Indian Navy's focus on indigenization is evident in Project 17A, which involves a significant degree of domestic shipbuilding expertise, technology integration, and use of indigenous components.

7. Collaboration: Collaboration with various defense research and development organizations, as well as shipyards, is an integral part of Project 17A's development.

8. Enhancing Naval Power: The addition of Project 17A destroyers to the Indian Navy's fleet is expected to enhance India's naval power projection capabilities and provide a modern and capable platform for a range of maritime operations

• The first ship of Project 17A, Nilgiri, was launched on September 28, 2019 and is expected to undergo sea trials in the first half of 2024
• INS Taragiri is a multi-role warship capable of carrying out a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and air defence.
• It is armed with a variety of weapons, including a 76mm main gun, two 30mm close-in weapon systems, eight Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles, 32 VL-SRSM anti-ship missiles, and two 16-cell vertical launch systems for various missiles. The ship is also equipped with a towed array sonar and a hull-mounted sonar
• INS Taragiri (F41) is a Talwar-class frigate in the Indian Navy.
• The Talwar-class frigates are a class of guided-missile frigates developed in Russia for export to various countries, including India. INS Taragiri was the second ship of the Talwar-class and was in service with the Indian Navy

Source: indianexpress