The Indian Navy is set to commission its newest guided-missile stealth frigate, INS Tamal, on July 1 at a ceremony in Kaliningrad, Russia. The event will mark the induction of the eighth and final Krivak-class frigate acquired from Russia, and the last such platform to be imported as India shifts toward complete indigenous warship production.
Built at the Yantar Shipyard, INS Tamal represents a fusion of Russian engineering and Indian technological prowess. The 125-metre-long, 3,900-tonne warship features a formidable array of weaponry and surveillance systems, with 26 percent of its components sourced from Indian manufacturers. This includes the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, which provides precision strike capabilities against both land and maritime targets.
Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, will preside over the commissioning ceremony. The event will also be attended by senior Indian and Russian defense officials, signifying the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
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INS Tamal, the second of the Tushil-class frigates, is an upgraded variant of the earlier Talwar and Teg classes. It joins the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, known as the ‘Sword Arm’, and is expected to significantly enhance India’s maritime combat readiness. The ship boasts state-of-the-art systems such as vertical-launched surface-to-air missiles, an improved 100mm naval gun, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, and an advanced electronic warfare suite.
According to Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal, “Tamal punches well above its weight with a high tonnage-to-firepower ratio, extended endurance, and a top speed of over 30 knots.” The warship also integrates Indian-origin systems like the HUMSA NG Mk II sonar, a cutting-edge anti-submarine warfare complex, and the latest surface surveillance radar technologies.
The ship’s crew of over 250 sailors has undergone intense training in the harsh winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad and completed rigorous sea trials over the past three months. The ship’s design incorporates enhanced stealth characteristics and superior sea-keeping abilities, enabling versatile deployment across combat and peacetime missions.
Symbolically named after ‘Tamal’, the mythical sword of Indra—the king of gods in Indian mythology—the frigate’s mascot reflects a blend of Indian and Russian cultural motifs, drawing inspiration from ‘Jambavant’, the immortal bear king, and the Eurasian brown bear, Russia’s national animal.
India is concurrently building two additional Tushil-class frigates under the same agreement at Goa Shipyard Ltd, with Russian design support. By the conclusion of this series, the Indian Navy will operate 10 similarly equipped warships across four different classes, fostering interoperability and logistical efficiency.
INS Tamal not only enhances the Indian Navy’s capabilities but also serves as a testament to the evolving synergy between Indian and Russian naval industries.
