In a major boost to India’s maritime capabilities and a strong reaffirmation of long-standing defence cooperation with Russia, the Indian Navy commissioned its latest stealth frigate, INS Tamal, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad. The event was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, in the presence of senior Indian and Russian defence officials.
The newly inducted frigate—formerly known by its Russian yard name—was constructed as part of Project 1135.6 (Advanced Krivak-class) and is the eighth such vessel to enter Indian Navy service. Prior to induction, the ship was identified as Yard 055, and later as the second of the Tushil class. The commissioning of INS Tamal marks the end of India’s acquisition of foreign-built capital warships—at least for the foreseeable future.
The Final Link in a Strategic Naval Chain
INS Tamal is the second frigate built in Russia under an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) signed in October 2018, following a broader Rs 21,000 crore defence deal signed in 2016.
Under the terms of the agreement, Russia would build two advanced guided missile frigates, while two more—now designated the Triput class—are being built at Goa Shipyard Limited, with Russian design assistance and transfer of technology.
Together, these four warships form the Tushil class, a modernised variant of the Indian Navy’s earlier Talwar and Teg class frigates—all based on Russia’s Krivak-III design. These ships are tailored to Indian operational requirements and integrated with a mix of Russian-origin hull, propulsion and weapon systems, and Indian-made electronics and armaments.
Combat Systems and Indigenous Capabilities
Measuring 125 metres in length and displacing around 3,900 tons, Tamal is equipped with an advanced suite of multi-domain weapon systems and sensors, enabling operations in anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
Key Combat Features:
- BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles (Indo-Russian joint venture) for precision strike capability at sea and on land
- Shtil Vertical Launch Surface-to-Air Missile System (VLS SAMs) for layered air defence
- A190 100 mm naval gun with enhanced fire control
- 30 mm AK-630 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) for terminal defence
- Heavyweight torpedoes and anti-submarine rocket launchers
- Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) ‘Sandal V’ targeting system
- HUMSA-NG Mk II sonar and Surface Surveillance Radar complex
The ship also features a fully integrated Electronic Warfare suite, advanced SATCOM, secure high-speed datalinks, and Network Centric Warfare capabilities. Aviation support includes facilities for Kamov-28 Multi-Role and Kamov-31 Airborne Early Warning helicopters, making Tamal a true multi-role platform.
Notably, Tamal incorporates more than 30% indigenous content, with 33 Indian-origin systems on board—double that of previous imports. Indian defence firms including Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems (Tata), Elcome Marine, and BrahMos Aerospace were key contributors.
Construction and Sea Trial Journey
Tamal’s construction involved a coordinated effort between the Yantar Shipyard, Russian OEMs, and an Indian Warship Overseeing Team (WOT) based in Kaliningrad, operating under the aegis of the Embassy of India, Moscow. The ship was launched and named Tamal on February 24, 2022, in a traditional naval ceremony.
The build phase was not without its challenges. Due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions, several third-country suppliers withheld technical support, requiring Indian and Russian teams to work closely to complete complex equipment integration. Despite these hurdles, Tamal successfully passed a series of demanding qualification phases:
- Factory Sea Trials
- Military Acceptance Trials (by the Russian Navy)
- State Committee Inspections
- Delivery Trials conducted by a dedicated Indian Navy team
Each phase validated the ship’s systems, sensors, and propulsion performance under harsh North European conditions.
Symbolism: Name, Crest, and Identity
The name “Tamal” draws from ancient Indian mythology, referencing the celestial sword wielded by Indra, the King of Gods—representing divine authority and battlefield dominance.
The ship’s crest is emblematic of the Indo-Russian friendship: it combines India’s mythical Jambavant, the immortal bear-king from the Ramayana, with Russia’s national symbol, the Eurasian brown bear. The ship’s crew, proudly calling themselves “The Great Bears”, reflect this symbolic union of strength, resilience, and cross-cultural camaraderie.
The warship’s motto, “Sarvada Sarvatra Vijaya” (Victorious Always, Everywhere), complements the Indian Navy’s broader ethos of being a “Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future-Ready Force”.
Operational Role and Strategic Outlook
Tamal joins the Western Fleet, the Indian Navy’s principal combat formation based under the Western Naval Command, often referred to as the “Sword Arm” of the Indian Navy. With her commissioning, the Navy now operates a total of ten frigates across the Talwar, Teg, Tushil, and soon-to-be Triput classes—all based on the common Krivak lineage but progressively modernised.
This is expected to be India’s final major foreign-built warship, as the country accelerates its transition to indigenous naval construction under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The successful delivery of Tamal marks both an end and a beginning—a culmination of India’s long reliance on foreign shipbuilding, and a stepping stone toward full naval self-sufficiency.