Taragiri (Yard 12653), the fourth Nilgiri-class frigate under Project 17A and the third constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Ltd (MDL), was handed over to the Indian Navy in Mumbai on November 28. The Ministry of Defence stated that the Project 17A frigates are advanced, multi-role warships built to meet both present and future maritime challenges.
This new Taragiri carries forward the legacy of the previous INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate that served the Navy from May 16, 1980, to June 27, 2013. The modern vessel represents a significant upgrade in design, stealth, firepower, automation, and survivability, embodying India’s push for self-reliance in warship development.
Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and supervised by the Warship Overseeing Team (Mumbai), the Project 17A ships reflect a major technological leap in indigenous naval engineering. Built using Integrated Construction principles, the ship was completed within the planned schedule.
Compared to the earlier Project 17 (Shivalik-class), the P17A frigates feature more sophisticated weapons and sensors. They are powered by CODOG propulsion systems combining diesel engines and gas turbines, each driving a Controllable Pitch Propeller, and are supported by a modern Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). The ship’s powerful combat suite includes BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, the MFSTAR–MRSAM air defence system, a 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, and multiple close-in weapon systems, along with anti-submarine rockets and torpedoes.
Taragiri is the fourth Project 17A frigate delivered to the Navy in just 11 months. With the experience gained from the first two ships, its construction timeline was reduced to 81 months, compared to 93 months for the lead ship Nilgiri. The remaining three frigates (one at MDL and two at GRSE) are scheduled for delivery by August 2026.
The ship’s completion highlights India’s growing capability in warship design and construction, aligned with the Navy’s continued emphasis on Aatmanirbharta. With 75% indigenous content, the project involved over 200 MSMEs, generating employment for around 4,000 direct and over 10,000 indirect workers.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PIB.
With Delhi’s air quality stuck in the ‘Very Poor’ range for several days, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government was continuously monitoring conditions and taking daily measures to control pollution. Speaking to the media, she noted that today’s efforts would show results in the future. Gupta held a roadshow in Shalimar Bagh ahead of the MCD by-elections in 12 wards, expressing confidence that public support would translate into results on November 30 and December 3. She said Delhi residents would again choose the BJP and that the party would work for the city’s development.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded a Parliament debate on rising pollution across major cities before the Winter Session. In a post on X, he criticised the Centre for showing “no urgency, plan, or accountability,” and said children were growing up breathing toxic air. He called for a detailed debate and a strict action plan, stressing that clean air is a basic right.
Delhi’s AQI stood at 384 at 8 am on Friday, according to CPCB data, remaining in the ‘Very Poor’ category after recording 377 on November 27. Several locations registered ‘Severe’ pollution levels, including Ashok Nagar (417), Bawana (413), Chandni Chowk (408), Jahangirpuri (420), JLN Stadium (401), and Burari Crossing (403). Anand Vihar recorded 408 amid dense smog.
A resident, Vinod, attributed the increased pollution partly to volcanic ash from Ethiopia drifting into India. He noted that while the government attempted cloud seeding to trigger artificial rain, the effort did not succeed. Other parts of the city also reported very poor AQI levels, such as Mandir Marg (320), ITO (393), Najafgarh (365), Sirifort (394), and Sri Aurobindo Marg (354).
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Indrajaal Drone Defence has introduced the Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle (ADPV), a fully mobile, AI-powered counter-drone system aimed at transforming India’s response to drone-related threats. The company said on Wednesday that the development of the ADPV, also called the Indrajaal Ranger, gained urgency after two recent incidents highlighted drones as a major vulnerability in India’s border security.
One incident involved an ISI-linked cross-border trafficking operation in which weapons were transported deep into Indian territory using drones, demonstrating how easily such devices can be used for smuggling. In another case, the Border Security Force (BSF) has already intercepted 255 Pakistani drones this year, showing that drones are now the main channel for the country’s multi-lakh-crore drug trafficking network.
Unlike traditional anti-drone systems that function only when stationary, the Indrajaal Ranger is a purpose-built combat vehicle capable of detecting drones while moving, conducting real-time patrols, using AI for autonomous threat assessment, and instantly intercepting hostile drones. It can operate across border roads, farms, canals, critical infrastructure zones, and dense urban areas.
This launch marks a major advancement in India’s defence preparedness, addressing growing threats linked to smuggling, surveillance, and terrorism along national borders. At the event, chief guest Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd) praised the vehicle, calling it a protective shield for citizens and a crucial step toward safeguarding India’s youth and border communities. He also commended CEO Kiran Raju for advancing India’s defence innovation. Founder and CEO Kiran Raju stated that every neutralised drone represents lives saved and strengthened national security, reinforcing Indrajaal’s mission to protect India’s freedom.
According to the company, the Indrajaal Ranger enhances national security by disrupting cross-border criminal networks, preventing the entry of drugs and illegal weapons, and improving safety for border residents. By cutting off key supply routes, it weakens criminal and extremist operations while reducing the workload on security forces through automated interception and data-driven deployment. Most importantly, it helps restore a sense of security and stability for communities living under constant threat.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff of India, is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka early next month to reinforce defence cooperation with the island nation, a key partner in India’s Neighbourhood First policy. The visit aims to build on years of high-level military engagement between the two countries, enhancing mutual trust, strategic alignment, and operational synergy, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.
Dwivedi’s trip comes on the heels of Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s visit to Colombo in September, marking a year of continuous bilateral military diplomacy. Earlier this year, Lieutenant General B K G M Lasantha Rodrigo, commander of the Sri Lanka Army, visited India to strengthen defence ties and strategic cooperation. During his visit, he returned to his alma mater, the Indian Military Academy, as the reviewing officer for the passing out parade of cadets.
India and Sri Lanka have a history of close military exchanges. In 2021, then-Army Chief General M. M. Naravane visited Sri Lanka for wide-ranging discussions with the leadership and witnessed the Mitra Shakti joint military exercise, which has become a symbol of army-to-army collaboration. In 2023, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, then commander of the Sri Lanka Army, visited India to reaffirm his country’s commitment to maintaining close defence and institutional ties.
General Dwivedi’s visit is expected to significantly strengthen army-to-army cooperation through training exchanges, capacity building, and joint exercises such as Mitra Shakti. The visit will also provide an opportunity for both nations to engage on emerging security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, including maritime domain awareness and counter-terrorism cooperation.
In addition to military discussions, the Army Chief is expected to pay homage at shared military memorials, underscoring the historical and cultural bonds between India and Sri Lanka. The visit also reflects broader diplomatic convergence, with Sri Lanka supporting India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, while India backs Sri Lanka’s aspirations for a greater role in BRICS and other multilateral forums. Through this visit, India reaffirms its role as a trusted neighbour to Sri Lanka, strengthening strategic and maritime cooperation while advancing the objectives of its Neighbourhood First policy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Four people died after a major fire broke out in several high-rise towers in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday. Thick smoke poured from the buildings as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze. According to RTHK, several residents are still trapped, and two people are in critical condition with severe burns. Some firefighters were also injured while trying to put out the flames that swept through the 31-storey towers. Crowds gathered on a nearby walkway as smoke rose from buildings covered in bamboo scaffolding. Dozens of fire engines and ambulances were at the scene. The Fire Services Department said it has not yet confirmed how many people remain inside. The fire was first reported at 2:51 p.m. and upgraded to a No. 4 alarm at 3:34 p.m. Wang Fuk Court, where the fire broke out, is a complex of eight blocks with nearly 2,000 units. Due to the incident, part of Tai Po Road has been closed and bus routes are being diverted.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
In December 2019, a fishing boat set out from an Alaskan port with an experienced crew, unaware that an icy storm was gathering. The events that followed underscore why deep-sea fishing is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world. This account is by Rose George, read by Rosalie Craig, and is adapted from Every Last Fish: What Fish Do for Us, and What We Do to Them, published by Granta.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Just over 50% of voters acknowledge that climate change is real and driven by human activity, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. Interestingly, a similar proportion held the same view more than 15 years ago. Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, and political reporter Josh Butler examine the disconnect between climate science and the politics of climate action in Australia. They also discuss why self-aware AI, rather than climate change, is seen as the biggest existential threat, and how strong public backing for gambling reform highlights the gap between Prime Minister Albanese’s current policies and the public’s appetite for change.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Frances Wong, who led a global anti-scam team at an international bank, discovered that her own mother had fallen prey to a scam. Motivated by this, she left her position and founded White Byte, a company dedicated to educating vulnerable individuals and businesses about scam prevention. Frances discusses how she connects with the elderly, migrant workers, and other at-risk groups, the advice she gives to victims, and the guidance she would offer her younger self.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
A month has passed since global leaders met in Egypt for a peace summit aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since then, both parties have traded accusations of breaching the deal. Andrea Heng reviews the progress made during the first month and examines whether the fragile truce can endure, in conversation with Dr. Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
