INS Tamal, India’s Last Foreign-Built Stealth Frigate, Commissioned Into Indian Navy At Yantar Shipyard In Russia – How It Can Be A Gamechanger?

The Indian Navy on Tuesday commissioned INS Tamal (F 71) at the Yantar Shipyard in Russia’s Kaliningrad. It is the last warship of the Indian Navy to be built outside India. INS Tamal was inducted in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command; Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition; and Vice Admiral Sergie Lipin, Commander of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation Navy.

It is the eighth multi-role stealth frigate in the series of Project 1135.6 and the second of the additional follow-on Tushil-class of ships. The first ship of the Tushil class, INS Tushil, was commissioned on December 9 last year in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

#Tamal
Commissioning Ceremony Today – #01Jul 25

The ship’s motto, ‘Sarvada Sarvatra Vijaya’ (Victorious Always Everytime) signifies the #IndianNavy’s undying commitment to operational excellence in every mission, complementing its motto ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and… https://t.co/5wBLJxzArG pic.twitter.com/bjLQHLtdPT

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 1, 2025

All seven ships inducted thus far are part of the Western Fleet—‘The Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy under the Western Naval Command. This ceremony marks the formal induction of INS Tamal into the Indian Navy. The ship is commanded by Captain Sridhar Tata, a gunnery and missile warfare specialist.

“The ceremony kicked off with an impressive joint Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the ship’s crew and Russia’s Baltic Naval Fleet. The ceremony was declared open by Mr. Andrey Sergeyevich Puchkov, Director General, United Shipbuilding Corporation. In his inaugural speech, Mr. Mikhail Babich, Deputy Director General of the Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation, spoke about the maritime technological cooperation between the Indian and Russian navies and its growing future trajectory,” the Defence Ministry said in a press release.

“This was followed by addresses from senior Russian government dignitaries and Vice Admiral R. Swaminathan, CWP&A, who highlighted the commissioning of INS Tamal as symbolic of the strategic partnership between India and Russia. It also exemplifies the collaborative strength and the ability to dovetail technologies of both nations into one combat platform. He commented that the Indo-Russian strategic partnership has stood the test of time, with INS Tamal being the 51st ship produced under this collaborative effort in the past 65 years. He congratulated all those involved in the project, especially the shipyard workers, Indian and Russian OEMs for their excellent workmanship, and the flawless integration of indigenous systems, contributing handsomely to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives of the Government of India,” it added.

Features:

Design & Platform

• Class & Heritage: Second ship of the Tushil class (upgraded Krivak/Talwar lineage), built in Russia as the final foreign-built frigate for the Indian Navy.
• Dimensions: Approximately 125 m in length, with a full displacement of 3,900 tonnes.
• Propulsion: COGAG configuration with 4 gas turbines (~44,000 hp), achieving speeds over 30 knots; mission endurance of ~3,000 km.
• Stealth Features: Low radar cross-section, reduced IR/acoustic/magnetic signatures, and a quiet underwater profile.

Weapon Systems

• BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles: Eight vertically launched missiles with a 300–450 km strike range (sea & land targets).
• Shtil-1 VLS SAM: Dual 12-cell VLS carrying up to 24 medium-range surface-to-air missiles (range ~50 km).
• Naval Gun & CIWS: A‑190 100 mm main gun; AK‑630 30 mm close-in weapon system for point defense.
• Anti-Submarine Warfare:
  • RBU‑6000 rocket launchers
  • 324 mm heavyweight torpedo tubes
  • HUMSA‑NG Mk II hull-mounted sonar

Sensors & Combat Systems

• Radar Suite: Fregat M2EM (air/surface search), surface surveillance radar, and EO/IR targeting systems.
• Sonar: HUMSA‑NG Mk II enhances submarine detection.
• Electronic Warfare & Decoys: ASOR EW suite, PK‑10 decoy launchers for anti-missile protection.
• Combat Management System: Trebiovione-M (integrates sensors, weapons, and datalinks).

Aviation & Network Integration

• Aircraft Handling: Flight deck and hangar support for Ka‑28 ASW helicopters, Ka‑31 AEW, or HAL Dhruv/Chetak helicopters.
• Network-Centric Warfare: Advanced datalinks for integration in fleet-wide operations.

Indigenous Content & Crew

• ‘Aatmanirbhar’ Push: Approximately 26 % Indian content (~33 indigenous systems) – double that of earlier ships. Major contributors include BrahMos Aerospace, BEL, Keltron, Tata, Elcome, and Johnson Controls.
• Crew Strength & Training: Around 250 Indian personnel underwent rigorous training and sea trials in Russia’s winter conditions.
• Mascot & Motto: “Great Bear” mascot (inspired by Jambavant and the Eurasian Brown Bear); motto: “Sarvada Sarvatra Vijaya” (“Victorious Always, Every Time”).

Strategic Significance

• Joining the Western Fleet: After commissioning on July 1, 2025, in Kaliningrad, INS Tamal will sail to India to join the Western Naval Command, enhancing maritime dominance in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean Region.
• Last Foreign-Built Frigate: Marks the end of India’s reliance on foreign-built frontline combatants; future warships will be fully indigenously built, such as the Triput class at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL)