INS Tamal, India’s last imported warship, to be commissioned on July 1

The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate INS Tamal on July 1 at Kaliningrad in Russia. This will be the last warship of Indian Navy to have been built outside India and the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades.

The ceremony will be presided over by Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh in the presence of several high-ranking Indian and Russian government and defence officials.

INS Tamal has been built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source, in line with the Government of India’s impetus on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and “Make in India” initiatives.

India, as part of the broader contract for Tushil class, is also building two similar frigates called the Triput class at Goa Shipyard Limited with transfer of technology and design assistance from the Russian side. By the conclusion of this series of ships, Indian Navy will be operating 10ships with similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weapon and sensor fit over four different classes.

The ship has 26 percent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long range cruise missile for targeting both at sea and land. The vessel has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors.

The crew, comprising of over 250 personnel have undergone rigorous ashore as well as afloat training in extremely challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad in Russia. INS Tamal has successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months, proving its systems, weapons and sensors.

The 125m long, 3900-ton warship, packs a lethal punch as it features an impressive blend of Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction. The ship’s new design provides it with enhanced stealth features and greater stability characteristics. The number of Made-in-India systems have more than doubled to 33.

Upon commissioning, INS Tamal will join the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet, under the Western Naval Command.