INS Tamal: Lord Indra's Sword Joins the Indian Navy
INS Tamal, a 125-metre-long and 3,900-tonne warship, is now ready to be officially added to the Indian Navy fleet.
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Commissioning ceremony of INS Tamal (F71), an eighth frigate in the series of Project 1135.6, by the Indian Navy underway, at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad on Tuesday. (@indiannavy/X)
On Tuesday (July 1), the Indian Navy added a new warship, INS Tamal, to its fleet. The commissioning is taking place in Kaliningrad, Russia. This is the last warship India is getting from another country. INS Tamal is a stealth frigate that can perform many roles. It is equipped with powerful missiles and modern surveillance systems to help the Navy stay alert and ready.
A modern frigate is a type of warship designed mainly to protect other ships. Its job is to keep naval ships, cargo ships, and troop carriers safe from dangers coming from the sea, especially from enemy submarines. To do this effectively, frigates have advanced sensors and different weapons. They also have special stealth features, which make them harder for enemies to detect.
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What is Krivak Class ?
The Krivak Class refers to a type of warship originally designed by Russia (formerly the Soviet Union). These frigates, especially those made for India (also known as the Talwar-class), are powerful and versatile warships designed for modern naval warfare. They have a special stealth design that makes them hard to detect by enemy radar.
The new upgraded frigates come equipped with a wide variety of modern weapons to handle threats from air, sea, and underwater. They carry the powerful BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, which can hit targets with great speed and accuracy. For defence against enemy aircraft and missiles, they are fitted with Shtil surface-to-air missiles that now have a longer range.
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In addition, the ships have upgraded medium-range guns for targeting both air and surface threats, and a fast-firing close-range gun system that is controlled through optical sensors for better aim. To deal with submarines, they are also armed with torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets. These advanced weapons make the frigates ready for any kind of battle at sea.
In addition to their firepower, these ships have modern radar and sonar systems for tracking threats above and below the sea. Each frigate has a helicopter deck that can carry a multi-role helicopter used for search and rescue, anti-submarine missions, and surveillance. The ships can sail at speeds of up to 30 knots (about 55 km/h) and travel long distances without needing to refuel. Built for multi-role operations, Krivak-class frigates can protect other ships, hunt submarines, attack enemy vessels, and also help in disaster relief missions. Overall, they are strong, smart, and stealthy – key assets for any modern navy.
INS Tamal Commissioned in Russia: A New Boost for Indian Navy
INS Tamal, a 125-metre-long and 3,900-tonne warship, is now ready to be officially added to the Indian Navy. It was built at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, with close supervision by a team of Indian experts known as the Warship Overseeing Team, who ensured everything met Indian Navy standards.
Although the ship was constructed in Russia, about 26% of its systems are made in India. One of the key Indian-made features on board is the powerful BrahMos cruise missile, which can hit targets both at sea and on land from long distances. This mix of Russian construction and Indian technology makes INS Tamal a strong example of international cooperation and self-reliance in defence.
The name INS Tamal comes from a legendary sword said to be used by Lord Indra, the god of thunder and war, in ancient stories. This ship is the second in the series of Tushil-class frigates, which are upgraded and more advanced versions of the earlier Talwar and Teg-class warships. These new ships have better weapons, technology, and design, making them stronger and more capable in modern naval missions.
INS Tamal is one of four advanced stealth frigates India is getting from Russia as part of a $2.5-billion defence deal. Under this agreement, two of the ships are being built in Russia at the Yantar Shipyard, and the other two will be made in India at Goa Shipyard Limited.
The first ship from this deal, INS Tushil, was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy last December in Russia. It later arrived in India in February. These warships are part of the Krivak/Talwar class, known for their stealth design and strong combat abilities, and will greatly boost India's naval strength.
Tushil and Tamal are the latest upgraded versions of the Krivak I class frigates, built under Project 1135.6. India already operates six similar warships—three Talwar-class frigates made at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg, and three Teg-class frigates built at the Yantar Shipyard in Russia.
The new frigates, like Tushil and Tamal, have a much higher share of Indian-made equipment—about 26%, which is double the amount used in the earlier Teg-class ships. This includes important contributions from 33 Indian companies, such as Bharat Electronics Limited, BrahMos Aerospace (a joint venture between India and Russia), and Nova Integrated Systems, a part of Tata Advanced Systems Limited. These efforts show India's growing focus on self-reliance in defence production.
INS Tamal is operated by a team of around 250 sailors along with 26 officers who manage and run the ship's operations.
(The author, Girish Linganna, is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. Contact: girishlinganna@gmail.com)
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