Blitz Bureau
THE Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth multirole frigate, INS Tamal, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. It is the eighth Krivak-class frigate to be inducted from Russia and the second ship of the upgraded Tushil class, following the Talwar and Teg-class series. Built with advanced stealth features and combat capabilities, Tamal marks the end of foreign-built warships for India, aligning with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
The frigate features 26 per cent indigenous components, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, and is fitted with a range of modern weapons and systems such as vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine rockets, 100 mm improved naval gun, EO/IR systems, and heavyweight torpedoes. It also supports Air Early Warning and MultiRole helicopters, and boasts high-end Network Centric Warfare capabilities.
Measuring 125 metres in length and displacing 3,900 tonnes, Tamal can reach speeds of over 30 knots and has undergone extensive sea trials over three months in challenging Russian winter conditions. Designed in collaboration with the Severnoye Design Bureau and overseen by Indian specialists in Kaliningrad under the aegis of the Indian Embassy in Moscow, Tamal represents a deep Indo-Russian defence collaboration. Two more frigates under the same class are being built in India by Goa Shipyard Limited, with Russian technology support.
Symbolically, “Tamal” draws its name from the mythical sword of Indra, the King of the Gods. Its mascot combines India’s Jambavant and Russia’s Eurasian Brown Bear, with the crew proudly identifying themselves as ‘The Great Bears’. The ship’s motto, ‘Sarvada Sarvatra Vijaya’ (Victorious Always, Everytime), reflects its operational readiness and the Navy’s commitment to maritime security.
