India has marked a significant step in defence indigenisation with the commissioning of INS Taragiri, where the entire specialised steel requirement for the stealth frigate has been supplied domestically by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
INS Taragiri – the fourth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) stealth frigates was inducted into the Indian Navy on 3 April 2026.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Steel on Sunday, 5 April, SAIL supplied approximately 4,000 tonnes of special grade steel plates used in the warship’s construction.
The warship was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, and the complete steel requirement was produced at SAIL’s integrated plants located in Bokaro, Bhilai and Rourkela.
The ministry highlighted that this reflects the company’s advanced metallurgical capabilities and ability to maintain consistent quality standards for critical defence applications.
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The development marks a notable shift in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, where not just platforms but also core raw materials are increasingly being indigenised.
By supplying the full specialised steel requirement domestically, India reduces dependence on foreign suppliers in a segment that directly impacts structural strength, survivability and lifecycle performance of naval warships.
SAIL’s contribution to INS Taragiri builds on its earlier role in supplying special steel for key naval platforms, including the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the first three ships of the Project 17A series – INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri.
“The successful induction of INS Taragiri marks another milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing and highlights the critical role played by domestic steel producers in strengthening the country’s maritime capabilities,” the ministry said.
