Indian Navy to Commission Stealth Frigate ‘Tamal’ in Russia This July

The Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal, on July 1 at Kaliningrad, Russia, marking a significant milestone in India’s naval modernization. Tamal is the eighth Krivak-class frigate to be inducted from Russia over the past two decades and the second vessel of the advanced Tushil class, which is a modernized version of the earlier Talwar and Teg classes.

INS Tamal will be part of the Western Fleet under the Western Naval Command, often referred to as the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Navy. Its commissioning comes six months after INS Tushil, the first ship of the Tushil class, was commissioned in Kaliningrad. As per the Indo-Russian contract, four such frigates are to be built — two in Russia and two in India at Goa Shipyard Limited under the Triput class name. These Indian-built ships are being developed with technology transfer and design support from Russia, and upon completion, the Navy will operate a total of 10 advanced frigates with common weapon systems, equipment, and sensor configurations across four different classes.

The construction of INS Tamal was closely monitored by a dedicated Indian Warship Overseeing Team based in Kaliningrad, working under the Indian Embassy in Moscow. The Directorate of Ship Production, under the Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, managed the project from the Naval Headquarters in India.

Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad built the warship, which is likely to be the last foreign-sourced warship, aligning with India's ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative in the defence sector. Tamal boasts 26% indigenous content, including systems such as the BrahMos long-range cruise missile capable of striking land and sea targets, the Surface Surveillance Radar complex, and the HUMSA NG Mk II sonar paired with anti-submarine warfare systems. Indian companies such as BrahMos Aerospace, Bharat Electronics, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems (Tata), Elcome Marine, and Johnson Controls India contributed to these indigenous systems.

Key upgrades include vertically launched surface-to-air missiles (VL-SAMs), an improved 100 mm naval gun, and a next-gen EO/IR system. It also carries the standard 30 mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), heavyweight torpedoes, and anti-submarine rockets. The frigate supports Air Early Warning and Multi-Role helicopters, enhancing its operational reach from the deck.

With advanced network-centric warfare capabilities, a state-of-the-art electronic warfare suite, and a top speed exceeding 30 knots, INS Tamal is a formidable addition to India’s naval strength. It has a high tonnage-to-firepower ratio and extended operational endurance.

The 125-meter-long, 3,900-ton frigate integrates cutting-edge technologies from both India and Russia and adheres to best practices in modern warship construction. A crew of over 250 trained personnel has already undergone intensive shore-based and onboard training in harsh winter conditions in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. Tamal successfully completed three months of sea trials, proving its readiness for deployment.