INS Tamal commissioning: Equipped with BrahMos, this last overseas-built warship is a big deal

First Post

01-07-2025

Armed with the BrahMos long-range cruise missile, INS Tamal is set to be commissioned at a ceremony in Russia's Kaliningrad today. The 125-metre-long and 3,900-tonne multi-role stealth guided missile frigate is the Indian Navy's last warship built overseas. Here's a look how it will enhance India's defence read more
The Indian Navy is commissioning INS Tamal, its last warship built overseas, on Tuesday (July 1) at a ceremony in Russia's Kaliningrad. The multi-role stealth guided missile frigate boasts a host of missiles and surveillance systems.
The vessel is the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates inducted from Russia over the past 20 years. The induction ceremony will be presided over by Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, along with several high-ranking Indian and Russian government and defence officials.
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Let's take a look at the Indian Navy's new warship.
INS Tamal's commissioning
INS Tamal, the 125-metre-long and 3900-tonne frigate, is set to be commissioned. It was constructed at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad under the monitoring of an Indian team of specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team.
While it was built in Russia, the frigate has 26 per cent indigenous systems, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile for striking targets at both sea and land.
The ship derives its name, Tamal, from the mythical sword used by Lord Indra in combat. It is the second frigate of the improved Tushil class — the upgraded versions of their predecessors, Talwar and Teg classes.
The commissioning of Tamal comes six months after the multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate INS Tushil was commissioned at Kaliningrad.
In 2016, India and Russia signed an intergovernmental contract worth Rs 21,000 crore to build four stealth frigates. INS Tushil and INS Tamal were constructed at a cost of about Rs 8,000 crore.
The remaining two frigates, called the Triput class, are being built at Goa Shipyard Limited with 'transfer of technology and design assistance' from the Russian side, as per a statement by the Ministry of Defence.
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Once all four vessels are commissioned, the Indian Navy will operate 10 ships with 'similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weapon and sensor fit over four different classes', the statement read.
How INS Tamal will boost India's defence
INS Tamal will be an asset for India's defence capabilities . The frigate has notable upgrades in its arsenal compared to its predecessors.
The ship is equipped with both Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies, with its design enhancing its stealth features and providing greater stability.
'It is equipped with the latest technology in warfighting, including the BrahMos supersonic missile system for anti-ship and land-attack capabilities, surface surveillance radar complex and HUMSA NG Mk II sonar with the anti-submarine weapon firing complex amongst a host of cutting-edge weapon and sensors of Indian origin,' the Defence Ministry said in its statement.
Tamal is equipped with the AK-630 30 mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), capable of intercepting threats such as drones and incoming anti-ship missiles. It also has a new age electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system for improved target acquisition and tracking in day and night.
#Tamal is the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are the upgraded versions of their predecessors, Talwar and Teg class frigates.
The ship, scheduled to be commissioned into the #IndianNavy on #01Jul 25, boasts significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its… https://t.co/dGaMKTo7sP pic.twitter.com/VWDIIpts2y — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) June 26, 2025
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'With a high firepower-to-tonnage ratio, extended operational range and a top speed of over 30 knots, Tamal is expected to offer significant combat capability. Equipped with long-range cruise missiles, the frigate can engage targets at distances of up to 450 kilometres,' a source told ThePrint.
Indian Navy's vessel is armed with vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, a better 100 MM gun, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, and an array of surveillance and fire control radars and systems, as per the Defence Ministry.
The warship features the 'SHTIL' vertical launch air defence system, which includes the vertical launch short-range air-to-air missile (VLSRAAM) and the medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM).
The vessel's defence capabilities are further enhanced by 'A-190-01' 100 mm naval cannon or naval artillery system, which is more accurate and has a higher rate of fire than its predecessors, as per ThePrint report.
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The warship is also equipped with modern communication and data-link systems, navigation equipment and critical infrastructure, which makes it a 'powerful asset for naval operations', the Defence Ministry said.
The warship also includes air early warning and multi-role helicopters.
INS Tamal has various network-centric warfare capabilities and an advanced electronic warfare suite. The ship will be operated by more than 250 personnel, who have undergone rigorous ashore and afloat training in 'extremely challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad,' as per the official statement.
INS Tamal 'successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months, proving its systems, weapons and sensors,' it added.
After its commissioning, the frigate will join the 'Sword Arm' of the Navy, the Western Fleet, under the Western Naval Command, which supervises operations in the Arabian Sea and the western Indian Ocean. This area is significant as it is near Karachi, Pakistan's primary naval hub.
Amid threats from Pakistan and China, Tamal will enhance India's maritime strength.
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With inputs from agencies