During past few years, it has been observed that where on one hand the Government is promoting India-made products through campaigns like Atmanirbhar Bharat besides decreasing dependency of the nation on articles imported from foreign counties, thereby saving the exchequer and providing a boost to economy of the nation. This initiative has also been introduced in defence sector, as it was observed that a huge among of country’s wealth was spent over the sector for importing various types of things, right from weaponry to other miscellaneous items. This initiative has not only strengthened the defence sector but also ended the dependability of nation over several nations for various essential products. Recently, in a historic step, the fully country-made aircraft carrier Vikrant was dedicated to Navy by Prime Minister. In another major step, the fifth Stealth Frigate of P17A, being built at MDL was launched by Charu Singh, President NWWA (Western Region) who 0named the ship ‘Taragiri’. In compliance with notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India declared a state-mourning. 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 per cent of the orders of the Project 17A have been placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs, thus reinforcing the country’s quest for ‘Atmanirbhar 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.
