LAUNCH OF YD 12653 (TARAGIRI)
• Anil Mathur

 

New Delhi 12 Sep.,The fifth Stealth Frigate of P17A, being built at MDL was launched today by Smt. Charu Singh, President NWWA (Western Region) who 0named the ship ‘Taragiri’. In compliance with the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India declaring a state-mourning on 11 Sep 2022. The event was limited to a Technical Launch as the event is tide dependent, any change in the schedule was not possible. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command was the Chief Guest, VAdm Kiran Deshmukh Controller Warship Production and Acquisition other senior officers from the Indian Navy and MoD were amongst the dignitaries who witnessed the launch ceremony.

The Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and the MDL teams having demonstrated multiple successful conventional launches in the past, have honed their expertise further and performed yet another pontoon assisted launch with panache. Following the launch, ‘Taragiri’ will join its two sister ships at MDL for outfitting activities towards the run up for their delivery to Indian Navy.

Seven P17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE. Indigenous construction of complex frontline ships such as Stealth Frigates has catapulted the nation to a higher pedestal in the arena of shipbuilding. It provides additional benefits such as economic development, employment generation for Indian Shipyards, their sub-contractors and ancillary industry. Further, 75% of the orders of the Project 17A have been placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs, thus reinforcing the country’s quest for ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, FOC-IN-C, Western Naval Command praised the efforts of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Warship Design Bureau and other Naval Teams in realizing the nation’s quest for self-reliance with regard to warship building.  He added that ‘Taragiri’ will surely add to IN’s forte as and when it makes its way into the blue waters.