The Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F‑71), a 3,900‑tonne multi‑role stealth guided‑missile frigate, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad on 1 July 2025.
Vice‑Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding‑in‑Chief (Western Naval Command), presided over the ceremony, which included a joint guard of honour with personnel from Russia’s Baltic Fleet.
Last foreign‑built major warship for India
Tamal is the eighth and final unit of Project 1135.6 (Talwar class) and the second follow‑on Tushil‑class frigate.
Its induction closes India’s chapter of buying major surface combatants abroad, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make‑in‑India focus on defence self‑reliance.
Deputy Director‑General Mikhaeil Babich of Russia’s Federal Service for Military‑Technical Cooperation praised six decades of naval collaboration.
Vice‑Admiral R Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, noted that Tamal is the 51st warship delivered under the Indo‑Russian partnership since 1960.
Indigenous systems on board
Although built in Russia, 26 per cent of Tamal’s equipment is Indian‑made, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise‑missile system and HUMSA‑NG sonar.
Vice‑Admiral Singh added that the next two frigates of this batch will be constructed at Indian yards, further deepening technology transfer and joint capability.
Four‑dimensional combat capability
Designed for blue‑water operations, Tamal can counter threats in the air, surface, sub‑surface and electronic domains. Key armament and systems include:
- Vertical‑launch BrahMos dual‑role missiles
- Shtil‑1 surface‑to‑air missiles (extended range)
- 100 mm main gun and 30 mm CIWS
- ASW rocket launchers and heavyweight torpedoes
- Automated NBC‑defence, damage‑control and firefighting suites
Commanded by Captain Sridhar Tata, a specialist in gunnery and missile warfare, INS Tamal will soon sail for her new homeport at Karwar, Karnataka, to join the Western Fleet.
With its commissioning, the Indian Navy adds a potent stealth platform while turning the page toward fully indigenous warship construction.
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