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The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Indigenous diving support vessel Nistar Commissioned at Vishakapatnam
India's first indigenously built Diving Support Vessel, Nistar, was commissioned on Friday (July 18, 2025), marking a major maritime achievement. Nistar was originally built on March 29, 1971, playing a crucial role during the Indo-Pakistan war, identifying Pakistan's sunken submarine Gazi outside Visakhapatnam harbour and Eastern operations. The commissioning ceremony of #NISTAR, the @indiannavy's first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, is being presided over by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri @SanjaySethin the presence of #CNS Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi today at Visakhapatnam. Built by Hindustan… — Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) July 18, 2025 Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that the new Nistar will carry forward its legacy with advanced saturation dive systems and capability to rescue deep submergence rescue vessels, including submarines. "Old ships never die, they always return in upgraded form," said Mr. Tripathi, during the commissioning ceremony. Nistar is both technologically and operationally significant, enhancing India's and regional partners' submarine rescue capabilities, with India set to emerge as a preferred partner in submarine rescue globally, said the CNS. Mr. Tripathi said that only a few navies worldwide have such capabilities, and fewer nations develop them indigenously, with Nistar boosting India's maritime-based industry. Participating in the event, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said the Indian Navy has a history of glorious victories and noted that Nistar will enhance India's global identity, proving that the Indian Navy stands as an equal among world powers. He highlighted that the Nistar that was decommissioned in 1989 was weighing 800 tonnes, is now revived with a weight of 10,500 tonnes, and is 120 meters long, reflecting Viksit Bharat's (Developed India) technological transformation. 'India shifted from importer to exporter', exporting defence goods worth ₹23,622 crores and targeting ₹50,000 crores, achieved through the efforts of 120 MSME sector personnel, said Seth. Further, Mr. Seth reiterated that India is poised to become the third-largest economy after surpassing Germany.

Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Sub Lt Aastha Poonia Becomes First Woman In Navy Fighter Stream, Rewrites Military History
Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has just done what no Indian woman has ever done before: become the first woman to enter the Indian Navy's fighter aircraft stream. Trained to launch and land combat jets from aircraft carriers, she now stands at the frontline of naval aviation. But her story is part of a much larger wave. From Gunjan Saxena in Kargil, to Shivangi Singh in a Rafale, to the NDA's first women cadets, Indian women are reshaping the military narrative. They're not just joining — they're leading. Watch how courage, grit, and unshakable belief have helped these women rewrite the rules of India's defence forces.#aasthapoonia #indiannavy #womeninuniform #fighterpilot #breakingbarriers #operationsindoor #shivangisingh #gunjansaxena #womenwarriors #indiandefence #subltaastha #womeninforces #bharatkibeti #ndawomencadets #firstinnavy #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews


Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
India's first woman naval fighter pilot begins Mig-29K training as navy expands carrier air power with Rafale-M deal
First female Indian navy fighter pilot — indiannavy (@indiannavy) Advanced Carrier-Based Training Ahead Live Events India Expands Naval Aviation Capabilities Defence Ministry Clears Key Naval Projects Worth Thousands of Crores (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia is set to become the Indian Navy 's first woman fighter pilot, beginning her final year of training that will qualify her to operate MiG-29K fighter jets from aircraft carriers at Poonia, in her early 20s, was awarded the "Wings of Gold" alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull after completing transitional fighter training on Hawk advanced jet trainers at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam. The course included rigorous instruction in combat manoeuvres, marking a significant step toward operational readiness.'Sub-Lt Poonia has become the first woman to be streamed into the fighter stream of naval aviation, shattering barriers and paving the way for a new era of women fighter pilots in the Navy,' a naval officer said to upcoming training phase will include extensive sorties on aircraft that simulate carrier-based operations , including take-offs from a ski-jump that mimics the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Upon completion, she will be qualified to operate the MiG-29K, the Navy's primary carrier-based fighter development follows the Indian Air Force's induction of over 20 women fighter pilots and reflects the ongoing integration of women into frontline combat roles across the armed Indian Navy currently operates 45 Russian-origin MiG-29K aircraft for carrier-based operations. These aircraft are deployed aboard India's two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. To augment this capability, the Indian government signed a deal in April to procure 26 Dassault Rafale Marine aircraft at an estimated cost of ₹64,000 crore. These jets are intended to enhance India's maritime strike potential until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) becomes operational. According to current timelines, TEDBF is still nearly a decade away from a major boost to naval capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has cleared several new projects, the largest being the indigenous construction of 12 Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs), estimated to cost ₹44,000 crore. According to official sources quoted by TOI, construction of the 900–1,000-tonne ships is expected to take about ten years. Each vessel will be equipped to detect and neutralise underwater mines that pose threats to shipping lanes and Ministry has also approved the procurement of semi-submersible autonomous vessels designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). These platforms will be developed under the Make-II category, meaning they will be built by private industry without upfront government additional projects cleared include the acquisition of Super Rapid Gun Mounts (SRGMs)—76mm main guns used on naval surface vessels—and DRDO-designed moored naval mines capable of being triggered by acoustic, magnetic, or pressure signals when enemy vessels pass nearby.(With inputs from TOI)


India.com
01-07-2025
- India.com
INS Tamal: Lord Indra's Sword Joins the Indian Navy
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement === 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. Advertisement === 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@

Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
Armed With BrahMos Missiles, INS Tamal Set To Join Indian Navy's Western Command in Russia
The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Tamal, a multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, during a high-profile ceremony in Kaliningrad, Russia. The last Indian warship to be constructed overseas, INS Tamal features indigenous weapons like the BrahMos supersonic missile, the DRDO-developed HUMSA sonar, and advanced air defence systems. This Tushil-class warship will serve under the Western Naval Command, covering high-stakes zones including Karachi and the Arabian Sea. Armed with the SHTIL air defence system, AK-630 CIWS, RBU-6000 ASW launcher, and EO/IR tracking systems, Tamal is a deadly platform for sea control and anti-submarine warfare. Its deployment marks a significant step in Indo-Russian defence ties and adds a new dimension to India's naval dominance.#instamal #indiannavy #kaliningradcommissioning #brahmos #tushilclassfrigate #indiandefence #indianaval #westerncommand #navaldefence #drdo #airdefencesystem #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews Read More