In a significant move aimed at enhancing its maritime capabilities, the Indian Navy plans to commission the advanced Talwar-class frigate INS Tamal by the end of May 2025. This state-of-the-art vessel is being constructed at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard as part of Project 11356, contributing to India’s strategic posture in the crucial Indo-Pacific region.
INS Tamal is derived from the Russian Krivak III-class frigates, which are specifically designed for long-range, blue-water operations. A notable feature of the frigate is its integration of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. This missile system, a collaborative effort between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, enables INS Tamal to strike targets on both land and sea at supersonic speeds. This capability significantly enhances India’s naval deterrence and power projection capabilities.
The design of INS Tamal incorporates semi-stealth features, utilizing radar-reducing hull architecture that includes outward flare and tumblehome structures. The vessel is equipped with the TK-25E-5 electronic warfare suite, along with other advanced systems that ensure its effectiveness in contested maritime areas. This design allows for multi-domain operations, including anti-submarine warfare, surface strike missions, and fleet defense tasks.
INS Tamal is a sister ship to INS Tushil, which was handed over to the Indian Navy in September 2024. Although the original delivery date for INS Tamal was set for February 2025, it has now been rescheduled for late May. To prepare for its operational readiness, a dedicated team of 200 personnel from the Indian Navy has been deployed to Russia to perform rigorous acceptance trials, ensuring the frigate meets all necessary operational and safety standards before entering active service.
The acquisition of INS Tamal and its sister ship is part of a larger ₹8,000 crore defense agreement signed in October 2018 between India and Russia. Complementarily, a parallel ₹13,000 crore deal signed in November 2018 facilitates the construction of two additional Talwar-class frigates at Goa Shipyard, with their delivery expected by 2027. These domestically constructed vessels will feature a higher proportion of Indian-made systems, supporting the Indian government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative aimed at self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
In a further enhancement of INS Tamal’s capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council also approved the purchase of Shtil-1 air defense missiles. This decision, taken on March 20, 2025, will significantly bolster the ship’s layered defense capabilities against aerial threats, contributing to the overall combat readiness of the Indian Navy.
The commissioning of INS Tamal underscores India’s commitment to maritime security, given the evolving threats in both the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. As global geopolitical competition intensifies, the Indian Navy’s investment in advanced warships illustrates its intent to adopt a more assertive posture in maintaining regional stability and safeguarding national interests.
Once it becomes operational, INS Tamal is expected to play a critical role in enhancing India’s strategic deterrence and power projection capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, reaffirming the Indian Navy’s status as a central pillar of the nation’s defense strategy.
