KALININGRAD, Russia — The Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F 71), a state-of-the-art stealth frigate, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, marking a significant step in India’s maritime modernization and underscoring deep-rooted defense cooperation with Russia.
The ceremony was presided over by Vice Adm. Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Also in attendance were Vice Adm. Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, and Vice Adm. Sergei Lipin, Commander of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy, alongside senior officials from both nations’ navies and defense industries.
INS Tamal is the eighth vessel in the Project 1135.6 series and the second of the follow-on Tushil-class stealth frigates. The first in this subclass, INS Tushil, was commissioned in December 2024. All ships in this series operate under the Western Naval Command’s Western Fleet—known as the “Sword Arm” of the Indian Navy.
Commanded by Capt. Sridhar Tata, a specialist in gunnery and missile warfare, INS Tamal boasts formidable multi-domain warfare capabilities, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. The ship carries advanced BrahMos cruise missiles, Shtil-1 surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, ASW rockets, and a 100 mm main gun, among other types of weaponry.
The commissioning began with a ceremonial Guard of Honour by Indian and Russian naval personnel. Mr. Andrey Sergeyevich Puchkov, Director General of United Shipbuilding Corporation, formally opened the event, followed by speeches emphasizing Indo-Russian cooperation in defense production.
Vice Adm. Swaminathan described the commissioning as “symbolic of the strategic partnership between India and Russia,” highlighting that INS Tamal is the 51st ship built under the Indo-Russian shipbuilding program over the past 65 years. He praised the integration of Indian technologies, including indigenous systems like the BrahMos missile and Humsa-NG sonar.
The formal transfer of the ship was marked by the signing of the Delivery Act by Capt. Tata and Sergey Kupriyanov, Director General of the Russian Naval Department. The Indian Naval ensign was hoisted with full military honors, followed by the reading of the commissioning warrant and ceremonial salutes.
Vice Adm. Singh, the chief guest, hailed the addition of INS Tamal as a “milestone in India’s maritime defense capability.” He noted that the ship features 26 percent indigenous content and will be followed by two more vessels of the same class, built in India, advancing the country’s self-reliance goals under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
“INS Tamal enhances the Indian Navy’s reach, responsiveness, and resilience,” Singh said. “She will undoubtedly prove to be a force multiplier, safeguarding national maritime interests and regional security.”
The ship, launched in February 2022, began sea trials in November 2024 and completed a series of rigorous tests by June 2025. It is equipped with integrated combat management systems, electronic warfare suites, and aviation capabilities for Kamov 28 and 31 helicopters.
INS Tamal carries a crew of 26 officers and 250 sailors and is designed for blue-water operations across all dimensions of modern naval warfare. The ship’s motto, Sarvatra Sarvada Vijaya (Victory Always, Everywhere), reflects its operational ethos.
The vessel will soon depart on its maiden voyage to its homeport in Karwar, Karnataka, making port calls along the way to showcase its combat capabilities.
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