Latest news with #Talwar-class
News18
28-05-2025
- Business
- News18
INS Tamal: A Symbol Of Enduring India-Russia Partnership
Last Updated: INS Tamal, the second of four Talwar-class stealth frigates acquired under a 2016 Indo-Russian agreement, is poised to bolster India's maritime posture The impending arrival of INS Tamal, India's newest BrahMos-armed stealth frigate, from Russia serves as a potent symbol of the enduring strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow. The frigate is armed with BrahMos and fitted with onboard systems built in India. Constructed at Russia's Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Tamal, alongside its sister ship INS Tushil, commissioned in December 2024, represents a significant enhancement to India's naval capabilities and also underlines the deep-rooted defence cooperation that has long defined the relationship between India and Russia. Modernising naval capabilities and self-reliance INS Tamal, the second of four Talwar-class stealth frigates acquired under a 2016 Indo-Russian agreement, is poised to bolster India's maritime posture. These frigates, classified as improved Krivak-III class vessels, also known as Project 11356, are designed for long-range, blue-water operations and are equipped with advanced features such as stealth design, anti-submarine weapons, Shtil surface-to-air missile systems, and the formidable BrahMos cruise missile. INS Tamal itself incorporates approximately 26% Indian-made components. The first ship of this batch, INS Tushil, was commissioned in December 2024 by defence minister Rajnath Singh, undertaking an extensive transcontinental journey to India. Crucially, the broader Krivak-III programme encompasses a dual-track strategy: two frigates built in Russia (INS Tushil and INS Tamal) and two, Tavasya and Triput, are to be constructed at India's Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) through technology transfer. This approach aligns with India's 'Make in India" and 'Self-Reliant India" initiatives, signifying a strategic pivot towards indigenous defence production. Looking ahead, a military-technical cooperation programme extending to 2031 has been agreed upon, suggesting a roadmap for continued collaboration, potentially including joint production of spare parts within India. The launch of the frigate Tavasya at GSL in March 2025, the second of its class manufactured entirely in India, further underscores this commitment to technological self-sufficiency. This long history of naval cooperation also extends to conventional and nuclear submarines, with India having previously leased nuclear-powered submarines, such as the Chakra, from Russia, and the transfer of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to the Indian Navy in 2014. BrahMos: A cornerstone of joint prowess The BrahMos missile system stands as a testament to the successful joint development between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, forming BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. This supersonic cruise missile, which can be launched from land, sea, air, and submarines, is a key armament of INS Tamal and other Indian Navy platforms. Initially, the missile's range was capped at 290 km due to Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions, which limit technology transfers for missiles exceeding 300 km to non-member states. However, India's entry into the MTCR in June 2016 removed these barriers, allowing for the enhancement of BrahMos's capabilities. The missile's range has since been extended to over 450 km and, in some cases, up to 800 km, significantly enhancing India's offensive capabilities and strategic deterrence against both land and naval targets. Beyond domestic deployment, the BrahMos has also found international markets, with the Philippines securing the first export order for shore-based anti-ship batteries, demonstrating the success of this Indo-Russian joint venture on a global scale. Enduring defence ties amid shifting geopolitics India's defence relations with Russia trace back almost half a century, with the Indian armed forces historically relying on Soviet-origin weapon systems. India continues to rely on a wide array of Russian-origin platforms, including T-72 and T-90 tanks, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and MiG-29K fighter jets, KA-31 helicopters, and Akula- and Kilo-class submarines. This longstanding bond has been formalised through mechanisms such as the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), established in 2000, and a Programme for Military-Technical Cooperation, which was valid until 2020. Over the years, this cooperation has evolved from a mere buyer-seller dynamic into joint research, development, and production of military platforms, with the BrahMos missile serving as a prime example of this changed approach. While the share of India's defence imports from Russia has notably decreased from 76% in 2009 to 36% in 2023, reflecting India's strategy to diversify its procurement towards Western countries, Russia remains a crucial partner for India's existing military arsenal. Despite global geopolitical shifts, including the Ukraine conflict, which has reportedly led to delays in the delivery of some systems like the S-400 missile defence system and spare parts, India continues to rely on a wide array of Russian-origin platforms, including tanks, fighter jets, helicopters, and submarines. Economic ties have surged, with bilateral trade reaching a record high of USD 65.7 billion in fiscal year 2023-24, up 33% year-on-year, and nearly 5.5 times higher than the pre-Covid pandemic trade of USD 10.1 billion. A pragmatic partnership for India's strategic autonomy top videos View all The induction of INS Tamal into the Indian Navy, alongside ongoing broader defence collaborations, underscores India's pragmatic foreign policy and commitment to strategic autonomy. While navigating complex global dynamics and calls from the West to reduce ties with Moscow, New Delhi has maintained its crucial relationship with Russia, acknowledging its enduring role as a key security and economic partner. This partnership is an active, evolving engagement that continues to serve India's strategic interests in maintaining a robust defence posture and asserting its position as a decisive maritime force in the 21st century. The arrival of INS Tamal symbolises a continuing and essential aspect of India's defence strategy, reinforcing its capabilities while demonstrating a balanced approach to its foreign policy. First Published: May 28, 2025, 07:30 IST
India Today
05-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
India to receive BrahMos-armed stealth frigate 'Tamal' on May 28 from Russia
In a significant boost to India's maritime capabilities amid rising tensions with Pakistan, the Indian Navy is set to receive one of the world's most advanced stealth warships — Tamal. Built at Russia's Yantar Shipyard, this guided missile frigate is equipped to launch the deadly BrahMos missile and is part of a 2016 Indo-Russian agreement for the construction of four Talwar-class stealth frigates, with two being built in Russia and two in second Russian-built frigate under this deal, Tamal, is expected to be officially commissioned into the Indian Navy by June 2025. Sources have confirmed to India Today that Tamal will be handed over to India by Russia on May 28. The first, INS Tushil, has already been inducted. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned Tushil during his visit to Russia on December 9, 2024. After covering over 12,500 miles and passing through eight countries, INS Tushil has successfully arrived in Crew Arrives For Tamal's TrialsIndian Navy officials have already overseen sea trials of Tamal in Russia. Ahead of its formal induction, an Indian naval crew will soon sail the warship back to India. Around 200 Navy personnel were trained and participated in these trials, which are expected to continue for several weeks before the vessel begins its voyage Of The Deadliest Warshipsadvertisement Like its namesake — Talwar, meaning sword — Tamal is designed for precision strikes, speed, and agility. It can cruise at speeds of up to 30 knots (55 km/h) and has an operational range of 3,000 kilometres per features:BrahMos Missile Capability: The ship is armed with supersonic BrahMos missiles, posing a major threat to enemy Anti-Submarine Weapons: Equipped with torpedoes and rocket systems to neutralise underwater Deployment: Can operate a multi-role helicopter, extending its surveillance and combat Design: Built to evade radar detection, enhancing survivability in modern naval To Be India's Last Imported WarshipWith Tamal and INS Tushil completing the third batch of Talwar-class frigates, the Indian Navy has stated that Tamal will be the last imported warship. This signals a strategic shift toward complete indigenous production of naval has operated Talwar-class frigates since 2003, with six currently in service. Four are already armed with BrahMos missiles, while the other two are being concerns over delays due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the delivery timeline for Tamal has remained unaffected. The warship is powered by Ukrainian-built engines that were delivered before the conflict began. Two additional stealth frigates are also under construction at Goa Shipyard, with their engines already InMust Watch
