Tamal is a Historical Turning Point for Indian Naval Power
Commissioning its newest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal, at Kaliningrad, Russia, the Indian Navy will reach a major turning point in its path towards marine dominance and technical self-reliance on July 1, 2025.
Attended by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, along with a host of senior Indian and Russian dignitaries, this event highlights not only India’s increasing naval capacity but also the ongoing strength of Indo-Russian defence cooperation.
Tamal’s commissioning marks the end of years of cooperative engineering, strategic planning, and a common vision for the future of naval warfare—far more than a ceremonial event. Tamal is destined to become a pillar of India’s blue-water aspirations as the eighth Krivak-class frigate entered into the Indian Navy during the past two decades and the second of the sophisticated Tushil-class.
Indian Frigates: From Krivak to Tushil Class
The path the frigate fleet of the Indian Navy follows is evidence of its dedication to operational excellence and modernization.
Originally developed and constructed in Russia, the Krivak-class has long been a pillar of India’s surface combatant capability. Three Talwar-class and three Teg-class frigates have been added by the Indian Navy over years, each iteration including technological improvements and lessons learnt. As a member of the Tushil-class, Tamal reflects the most recent development in this family. These ships combine Russian shipbuilding knowledge with Indian invention and indigenous technology to fit the particular operational needs of the Indian Navy.
Two comparable frigates called the Triput-class are being built at Goa Shipyard Limited under the larger Tushil-class contract. Supported by Russian technology and design help, this project is a shining example of the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) and “Make in India” programs. By the end of this series, the Indian Navy will have four separate classes of ten advanced frigates running under commonality in equipment, armament, and sensors, so optimizing operational integration and logistics.
Building and Control: A Group Effort
Under the Embassy of India in Moscow, a committed group of Indian experts from the Warship Overseeing Team painstakingly oversaw the building of Tamal at the prestigious Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad. This cooperative approach guaranteed that every level of enforcement of Indian needs and quality criteria was strict. The project was greatly guided at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi by the Directorate of Ship Production, under the Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. The warship produced by this synergy between Indian control and Russian shipbuilding knowledge not only satisfies but surpasses the operational requirements of the Indian Navy.
Tamal: The Last Foreign-Built Warship and the Beginning of Indigenous Capacity
INS Tamal marks a turning point in India’s defense manufacturing history since she is the final big warship to be inducted from a foreign source. With 26% indigenous content, Tamal is evidence of the growing influence of Indian business in high-tech naval building. Especially, this statistic shows a notable increase over past semesters; the number of Indian-made systems more than doubles to 33. Among the most sophisticated and mission-critical systems on the ship, the indigenous components are not only extras. Jointly built by India and Russia, the BrahMos long-range supersonic cruise missile is Tamal’s main weapon since it can precisely target both sea and land targets.
Other Indian-origin equipment comprise a thorough electronic warfare suite, improved communication and navigation suites, HUMSA NG Mk II sonar, Surface Surveillance Radar complex. Leading Indian defense businesses including BrahMos Aerospace, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Tata’s Nova Integrated Systems, Elcome Marine, and Johnson Controls India have been instrumental in arming Tamal with state-of-the-art technology. This cooperation has improved not only the capacity of the ship but also India’s native defense system.
Arsenal: Stealth, Firepower, and Advanced Technology
Tamal is meant to be a real force multiplier among the tools available to the Indian Navy. Its improved stealth characteristics—achieved by a redesigned hull design and radar-absorbent materials—make detection challenging even for highly advanced enemy sensors. Furthermore increased are the ship’s stability and sea-keeping capacity, thereby guaranteeing best performance in many maritime environments.
The weapon set of the frigate is impressive:
> BrahMos missiles
> New-generation electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system
> Upgraded 100mm main gun
> 30mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)
> Modern anti-submarine rocket launchers
> Heavyweight torpedoes
By combining Air Early Warning and Multi-Role helicopters, Tamal’s reach is further expanded enabling it to perform surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and search-and-rescue operations far from its home seas. Its advanced electronic warfare suite and network-centric warfare features guarantee Tamal’s flawless operation as part of a bigger naval task force, sharing real-time data and reacting fast to developing threats. Tamal can run continuously throughout the great distance of the Indian Ocean and beyond with a top speed more than thirty knots and long endurance.
Extreme Training and Sea Trials: Getting Ready for Battle
From shipyard to active service, the trip is taxing. Bravely facing the severe winter circumstances of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, Tamal’s crew of more than 250 people completed extensive training both ashore and at sea. This thorough training guaranteed that the crew was ready to handle the whole range of nautical difficulties and competent in running the advanced systems of the ship. Tamal effectively finished a series of protracted sea tests over three months, confirming the effectiveness of its weaponry, sensors, propulsion, and control systems.
Mascot and Symbolism: Tamal’s Name
Drawing on the legendary sword carried by Indra, the king of the gods in Indian mythology, the name “Tamal” is rich in meaning. This link captures the ship’s function as a weapon of decisive force and defense.
Combining the Eurasian Brown Bear, Russia’s national animal, with “Jambavant,” the immortal bear monarch from Indian myth, the ship’s mascot captures the essence of Indo-Russian friendship and cooperation. With a nod to their strength, tenacity, and solidarity, the crew gladly call themselves “The Great Bears”.
“Sarvada Sarvatra Vijaya” (victory always everytime), Tamal’s slogan captures the Indian Navy’s relentless dedication to operational excellence. The Navy’s larger motto, “Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force Safeguarding National Maritime Interests – Anytime, Anywhere,” further underlines this mindset.
Strengthening the Western Fleet and Indo-Russian Ties Has Strategic Impact
Tamal will join the Western Fleet under Western Naval Command following commissioning, the “Sword Arm” of the Indian Navy. This deployment will greatly improve the operational capacity of the fleet, allowing it to project power, defend maritime interests, and react quickly to developing hazards over the Indian Ocean area.
Tamal’s induction serves also as a potent emblem of India’s ongoing cooperation with Russia—a trusted defense partner for over five decades. The successful completion of Tamal and the continuous building of similar frigates in India showcase the maturity and mutual benefit of this strategic partnership.
Future View: Towards Maritime Dominance and Self-Reliance
Tamal’s commissioning signals the end of an era—that of India’s last significant warship built overseas—and the start of a new chapter in indigenous warship building. Experience from the Tushil and Triput-class programs will enable Indian shipyards to take on more challenging projects, advancing the nation’s goal of self-reliance in defense manufacture. Ships like Tamal will be increasingly important in determining the marine balance of power as India extends its naval presence and asserts its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific. Their sophisticated capabilities and highly trained crew ensure the Indian Navy remains “Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future Ready”.
Finally, Tamal Is a Lighthouse of Development and Cooperation
In the annals of the Indian Navy, the commissioning of INS Tamal marks a historic occasion and a lighthouse of advancement toward marine self-reliance in India. It is a potent illustration of what may be accomplished with national security commitment, technological innovation, and global cooperation. Tamal’s joining the fleet carries with it the hopes and dreams of a nation ready to defend its maritime interests and project strength over the globe’s seas. With its advanced capabilities, dedicated crew, and symbolic legacy, Tamal is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Indian Navy and the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region.
