The Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F 71) on 01 Jul 2025 at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia, in the presence of VAdm Sanjay Jasjit Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. VAdm Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, VAdm Sergie Lipin, Commander Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation Navy, were also present on the occasion, along with other senior officials from the Indian and Russian Governments, Navies, and industries.
INS Tamal is the eighth multi-role stealth frigate in the series of Project 1135.6 and the second of the additional follow-on Tushil class of ships. The first ship of Tushil class (INS Tushil) was commissioned on 09 Dec 24 in presence of Honourable Raksha Mantri. All seven ships inducted thus far are part of the Western Fleet – ‘The Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy under the Western Naval Command. This ceremony marks the formal induction of INS Tamal into the Indian Navy. The ship is commanded by Capt Sridhar Tata, a gunnery and missile warfare specialist.
The ceremony kicked off with an impressive joint Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the ship’s crew and Russia’s Baltic Naval Fleet. The ceremony was declared open by Mr Andrey Sergeyvich Puchkov – Director General United Shipbuilding Corporation. In his inaugural speech Mr. Mikhaeeiilv Babich, Deputy Director General of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation, spoke about the maritime technological cooperation between the Indian and Russian navies and its growing future trajectory. This was followed by addresses of senior Russian government dignitaries and V Adm R Swaminathan, CWP&A, who highlighted the commissioning of Tamal as symbolic of the strategic partnership between India and Russia. It also exemplifies the collaborative strength and the ability to dovetail technologies of both nations into one combat platform. He commented that the Indo-Russian strategic partnership has stood the test of time, with Tamal being the 51st ship being produced under this collaborative effort in the past 65 years. He congratulated all those involved in the project, especially, the shipyard workers, Indian and Russian OEMs for their excellent workmanship, and flawless integration of indigenous systems contributing handsomely to Aatmanirbhar and Make in India initiative of the GOI.
This was followed by the signing of the Delivery Act by the Commanding Officer Designate and Mr Sergey Kupriynav- Director General of Russian Naval Department, formalising the transfer of the ship to the Indian Navy. The next ceremony involved the lowering of the Russian Navy flag followed by reading of the Commissioning Warrant issue by the Chief of the Naval Staff to the Commanding Officer. The Indian Naval ensign was hoisted in the presence of distinguished guests, accompanied by the national anthem and a ceremonial salute by the ‘Colour Guard’ proudly presented by the Crew. Simultaneously, the ship’s commissioning pennant was also hoisted, signifying its induction into active Naval service. The pennant will remain aflutter till the time the ship remains in commission.
INS Tamal is a formidable moving fortress at sea and is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions ie. air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic. The ship was launched on 24 February 2022. She sailed for her maiden sea trials Nov 2024, and completed an exhaustive schedule of Factory Trials State Committee Trials and the Delivery Acceptance Trials, both in harbour and at sea, by Jun 2025. The ship has successfully carried out trial firing of all her Russian weapon systems including the vertical launched surface to air missile Shtil-1, artillery weapons and torpedos.
Tamal punches well above her weight with Dual role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, vertically launched surface to air missile with extended ranges, the standard 30 MM Close in Weapon System, the 100 MM Main gun and very potent ASW rockets and heavyweight torpedoes. Tamal is an amalgamation of Indian and Russian technologies with a host of state of the art communication and network centric operational capabilities. The complement of advanced electronic warfare suite and advanced EO/IR systems adds ears and eyes to this potent platform. The highly versatile combat management system fuses all weapons and sensors into an effective fighting machine. 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.
The ship has been equipped with complex automated systems for nuclear, biological and chemical defence, including damage control and fire-fighting that can be operated centrally from sheltered posts. These complex systems aid in minimising casualties, achieve rapid restoration of combat effectiveness, enhancing combat capability and survivability.
INS Tamal is manned by a crew of about 250 sailors and 26 officers. The officers and sailors of this ship embody the ships motto – Sarvatra Sarvada Vijaya (Victory always everywhere), signifying Tamal’s undying commitment to operational excellence in every mission, complementing Indian Navy’s motto ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force Safeguarding National Maritime Interests – Anytime, Anywhere’.
The ship will soon embark on her maiden passage back to her homeport of Karwar in Karnataka. Tamal will touch various ports enroute and showcase her combat prowess. It would reach India in combat-ready condition set to dominate the maritime space.
