Major Boost to Indian Navy with the Induction of INS Tamal

INS Tamal, an advanced stealth frigate, was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 2025, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. This historic moment marks a major milestone in India’s maritime defense capabilities and is also the final chapter in the procurement of foreign-built warships for the Indian Navy.

The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command), who highlighted its significance for India-Russia defence cooperation and Indian maritime security.

Key Features and Technical Details of INS Tamal

Technical Details

Key technical points of INS Tamal for competitive exam aspirants:

Length: 125 meters

Weight: 3,900 tonnes

Speed: 55 km/h (over 30 knots)

Range: Can travel 3,000 km in a single journey

Indigenous Technology: 26% components made in India

Advanced Weapon Systems

This warship is equipped with modern weapon systems:

BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile: Range of 290–450 km, speed of Mach 2.8–3.0

Shtil-1 Surface-to-Air Missiles: Long-range vertical launch

100 mm Naval Gun

30 mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)

Heavyweight Torpedoes and Anti-Submarine Rockets

HUMSA-NG Sonar System

Stealth and Operational Capabilities

INS Tamal features state-of-the-art stealth technology, making it undetectable to radar:

Reduced Radar Cross-Section: Special design that diverts radar waves

Multi-Domain Warfare: Air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic operations

Blue Water Operations: Suitable for long-range maritime missions

Helicopter Operations: Can operate Kamov-28 and Kamov-31 helicopters

Strategic Importance for India's Defence

Last Foreign-Built Warship

INS Tamal holds historical significance as the last foreign-built warship of the Indian Navy. From now on, all warships will be built in India, marking a major step towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and ‘Make in India’.

Project 1135.6 – Tushil Class

It is the eighth Krivak-class frigate and the second warship of the Tushil class. The first Tushil-class warship, INS Tushil, was commissioned in December 2024.

Deployment in Western Fleet

INS Tamal will be deployed in the Western Fleet, known as ‘The Sword Arm’, and will be based at Karwar (Karnataka). It is expected to reach India’s west coast by September 2025.

India-Russia Defence Partnership

This commissioning marks the 51st warship in 65 years of India-Russia defence cooperation. Under a $2.5 billion agreement signed in October 2016, out of four stealth frigates, two are being built in Russia and two at Goa Shipyard Limited in India.

This frigate features a synergy of Indian and Russian technologies, including automated systems for nuclear, biological, and chemical defense.

The Future of Indigenous Naval Construction

With the induction of INS Tamal, the Indian Navy’s focus is now entirely on indigenous warship construction. Currently, 59 warships and vessels are under construction in Indian shipyards, with a total cost of approximately ₹1.2 lakh crore.

Major upcoming projects:

Project 17A Nilgiri-Class Frigates: Advanced stealth and indigenous technology

Project 15B Visakhapatnam-Class Destroyers: Network-centric warfare capabilities

Project 18 Next Generation Destroyers: State-of-the-art 10,000-tonne destroyers

Why is this important for your exam preparation?

Relevance for UPSC Mains

This development is important for General Studies Paper-3 (Security) and General Studies Paper-2 (International Relations):

Defence Technology: Indigenous defence capabilities and technology transfer

Strategic Partnerships: India-Russia defence cooperation and geopolitical impact

Maritime Security: India’s power in the Indian Ocean Region

Government Initiatives: Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India in the defence sector

Important Facts for Prelims

INS Tamal is the last foreign-built warship of the Indian Navy

26% indigenous technology (BrahMos missile, HUMSA-NG sonar)

Part of Project 1135.6 (Tushil Class)

Commissioned at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia

Deployed at Karwar, Karnataka (Western Naval Command)

Connection to Current Affairs

This news links several important themes:

Defence Manufacturing: Self-reliance in defence production

Bilateral Relations: India-Russia partnership in the global context

Maritime Strategy: India’s growing role in the Indo-Pacific

Technology Transfer: Integration of foreign and indigenous technologies

Useful for Essays and Interviews

"India’s Defence Modernization"

"Success of Make in India"

"Strategic Autonomy in Defence"

"India’s Maritime Security Challenges and Capabilities"

The commissioning of INS Tamal not only strengthens the Indian Navy but also represents a strategic shift towards complete indigenous warship construction. It reflects India’s technological capabilities and international partnerships, making this topic extremely important for your exam preparation.

Why is this essential for your exam preparation?

In the news: INS Tamal inducted into Indian Navy, last foreign-built warship

Covers syllabus: Defence, science & technology, international relations, government initiatives

Suitable for factual and analytical questions

Useful for essays, interviews, and mains answer writing