Indian Navy Commissions Latest Russian-built Frigate, INS Tamal
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F 71) on 1 July 2025, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command), Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan(Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition) and Vice Admiral Sergei Lipin(Commander Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation Navy). INS Tamal is a Talwar-class guided-missile frigate built under Russia’s Project 1135.6 series. It is the eighth ship of this series and the second of four follow-on vessels (the “Tushil” class) ordered by India. All ships of this class serve with the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet. Captain Sridhar Tata(a specialist in gunnery and missile warfare) is the first Commanding Officer of INS Tamal.
The commissioning ceremony underscored strong India–Russia naval cooperation. Indian and Russian officials stated that Tamal’s induction is a significant milestone in India’s maritime defense and a testament to the long-standing partnership between the two countries. INS Tamal is the 51st warship delivered under the Indo-Russian collaboration over 65 years. It was noted that even though Tamal was built in Russia, about 26% of its components are Indian-made.
The INS Tamal completed sea and acceptance trials by mid-2025 after it was launched on 24 February 2022. Its weapons were all test-fired, including the Russian Shtil-1 surface-to-air missile, shipboard guns, and torpedoes. The frigate packs formidable firepower as a modern warship. It carries eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (vertically launched surface-to-air missiles with extended ranges) and a 100mm A-190E main gun supported by AK-630 30mm close-in guns and a modern 30mm CIWS for point defence. It also has advanced anti-air defences (vertical-launched Shtil SAMs and Igla MANPADs) and anti-submarine weapons (RBU rocket launchers and two 533mm torpedo tubes). The ship is also capable of embarking the upgraded anti-submarine and airborne early warning helicopters, the Kamov 28 and Kamov 31, which are formidable force multipliers.
INS Tamal is manned by a crew of about 250 sailors and 26 officers. The ship’s motto is “Sarvatra Sarvada Vijaya” (Victory Always, Everywhere). It will be fully combat-ready to join the Western Fleet by the time it arrives. The induction of INS Tamal adds a powerful new frigate to the Indian Navy and highlights the deep defence partnership between India and Russia.