INS Tamal Opens a New Chapter in Indo-Russian Ties

In a grand ceremony that underscored the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F71)—a powerful, multi-role stealth frigate—at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.

The commissioning marks a significant boost to India’s maritime firepower and expands the Navy’s blue water capabilities.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, presided over the ceremony, which was also attended by Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A); Vice Admiral Sergie Lipin, Commander of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy; and senior officials from both Indian and Russian defence establishments, navies, and industry.

A New Stealth Frigate in the Line of Duty

INS Tamal is the eighth ship in the Project 1135.6 series—commonly known as the Talwar-class frigates—and the second in the newly designated Tushil-class, following INS Tushil, which was commissioned in December 2024 in the presence of India’s Defence Minister.

Commanded by Captain Sridhar Tata, a gunnery and missile warfare specialist, INS Tamal is a lethal addition to the Western Fleet, widely regarded as the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy. The ship is designed for operations across all four dimensions of naval warfare—surface, air, sub-surface, and electronic.

From Russia, with Resolve

The commissioning ceremony began with a vibrant joint Guard of Honour comprising Indian Navy crew members and personnel from Russia’s Baltic Fleet. Andrey Puchkov, Director General of United Shipbuilding Corporation, formally opened the event, which featured speeches from dignitaries including Mikhail Babich, Deputy Director General of Russia’s Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), and Vice Admiral Swaminathan, who lauded the ship as “a shining symbol of Indo-Russian synergy in defence production.”

Swaminathan noted that Tamal is the 51st ship to emerge from Indo-Russian shipbuilding cooperation over a 65-year journey, and praised the flawless integration of 26% indigenous components, including BrahMos missiles and the Humsa-NG sonar system, as a win for India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaigns.

A ceremonial Delivery Act was signed between the commanding officer designate and Russian authorities, followed by the symbolic lowering of the Russian naval flag. The Indian ensign was raised to the notes of the national anthem, with the Commissioning Warrant read aloud, marking Tamal’s formal entry into the Indian Navy.

Powerhouse at Sea

Launched in February 2022, INS Tamal began sea trials in November 2024, completing rigorous rounds of tests by mid-2025. She has since demonstrated full combat readiness, including successful live-firing of the Shtil-1 surface-to-air missile system, heavy torpedoes, and artillery systems.

Tamal’s combat loadout is formidable. It includes:

Dual-role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles

Shtil-1 Vertical Launch SAMs

100 mm main gun, 30 mm CIWS, and ASW rocket launchers

Integration with Kamov Ka-28 and Ka-31 helicopters for submarine warfare and aerial surveillance.

The ship also features a fully networked combat management system, state-of-the-art electronic warfare suites, and EO/IR sensors, making her a digital-era warship capable of dominating multiple domains of warfare. Her NBC protection systems and centralised damage control architecture increase survivability in high-risk environments.

Built in Russia, Sailing for India

Despite being constructed in Russia, INS Tamal’s DNA carries a distinct Indian imprint. Indigenous integration is not only symbolic but operational—placing India on the map as a defence production partner with increasing technological confidence.

In his keynote address, Vice Admiral Singh emphasised, “The commissioning of versatile platforms like INS Tamal enhances the Indian Navy’s reach, responsiveness, and resilience. It stands testament to India’s emergence as a confident maritime power.” He congratulated the Yantar Shipyard, the Warship Overseeing Team, and Russian agencies like Rosoboronexport, USC, and FSMTC for their commitment.

Ready for the High Seas

Manned by 250 sailors and 26 officers, INS Tamal sails under the motto “Sarvatra Sarvada Vijaya”—Victory Always, Everywhere—embodying the Navy’s larger vision: Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future Ready.

The frigate will now set sail for her homeport at Karwar, Karnataka, on her maiden voyage to India. Along the way, she will call at regional ports and conduct exercises to demonstrate her combat readiness and long-range deployment capabilities.

As she joins the fleet, INS Tamal stands not only as a new ship but as a symbol of enduring Indo-Russian defence ties, technological evolution, and India’s growing maritime aspirations in a shifting global order.