In a significant development for the Indian Navy, INS Tamal, a Russian-built guided missile frigate equipped with dual-role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, was officially commissioned into the naval fleet on Tuesday.
INS Tamal Commissioned; Udaygiri Delivered
This induction marks the final foreign-manufactured warship joining the Navy amid India’s increasing emphasis on achieving Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence production.
The commissioning ceremony of INS Tamal was conducted at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, where the warship was constructed. The ship is now set to sail for its homeport in Karwar, Karnataka.
INS Tamal: A Technological Powerhouse at Sea
Described by the Navy as a “formidable moving fortress at sea,” INS Tamal is designed for full-spectrum blue water operations across air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic domains. It is the eighth frigate in the Project 1135.6 (Krivak/Tushil class) series, built by Russia for India, and the second ship in the follow-on Tushil class. The first ship, INS Tushil, was commissioned in December 2024.
With a crew of approximately 250 sailors and 26 officers, the vessel is commanded by Captain Sridhar Tata, an expert in gunnery and missile warfare. The warship is equipped with:
- BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for dual-role missions
- Vertical Launch Surface-to-Air Missiles (Shtil-1)
- 30 mm Close-in Weapon Systems
- 100 mm Main Gun
- Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) rockets and heavyweight torpedoes
In addition, INS Tamal features advanced automated systems for nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) defence, with centralised damage control and fire-fighting capabilities. The Navy confirmed that the ship has successfully completed sea trials, including test firing of all Russian weapon systems.
The first seven ships of Project 1135.6 currently serve in the Western Fleet, famously known as the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Navy, under the Western Naval Command.
Yard 12652 (Udaygiri) Delivered Under Project 17A
Parallel to the commissioning of INS Tamal, the Navy also announced the delivery of Yard 12652 (Udaygiri), the second stealth frigate under Project 17A, constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) in Mumbai.
Project 17A is a continuation of the Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates and represents a major stride in indigenous warship design by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. These ships feature:
- Enhanced stealth features
- State-of-the-art weapons and sensor systems
- Supersonic surface-to-surface missiles
- Medium-range surface-to-air missiles
While Udaygiri has been delivered, it is expected to undergo further trials before being formally commissioned into the Indian Navy.
Strategic Significance
The commissioning of INS Tamal and delivery of Udaygiri highlight India’s two-pronged naval strategy:
- Leveraging existing foreign defence partnerships for capability enhancement.
- Accelerating indigenous defence production to strengthen self-reliance.
As India continues to focus on expanding its blue water navy and safeguarding interests across the Indian Ocean Region, such inductions reinforce its maritime dominance and readiness for multi-domain warfare.
Conclusion:
With INS Tamal now active and Udaygiri nearing commissioning, the Indian Navy takes another decisive step towards becoming a modern and self-reliant maritime force equipped to face emerging global security challenges.
