• ‘Tavasya’, the second frigate of Project 1135.6 (Yard 1259) of the Indian Navy, was launched in Goa on March 22.

• These frigates are follow-on of P1135.6 ships, which are now being constructed indigenously by Indian Shipyard.

• The launch marked a significant advancement in India’s self-reliance in warship construction. 

• The ship has been named ‘Tavasya’, after the mace of Bhima from the ‘Mahabharata’, representing the indomitable spirit and growing strength of the Indian Navy.

• The contract for building two Project 1135.6 follow-on frigates was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Goa Shipyard Limited on January 25, 2019. 

• The first ship, ‘Triput’, was launched on July 23, 2024. 

• These ships are designed for surface, sub-surface and air combat operations. 

• They are 124.8 m long and 15.2 m wide, with a draught of 4.5 m. 

• With a displacement exceeding 3,800 tonnes, ‘Tavasya’ is engineered to execute a diverse range of offensive and defensive operations, ensuring strategic dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 

• Equipped with advanced stealth features, high-endurance capabilities, and next-generation combat systems, the ship represents a significant boost to the operational might of the Indian Navy. 

• These ships have a large percentage of indigenous origin equipment, weapons and sensors, ensuring large scale defence production by Indian manufacturing units generating employment and capability enhancement within the country.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)