INS Tamal inducted into Indian Navy

• The Indian Navy has formally inducted its state-of-the-art stealth multi-role frigate INS Tamal into its fleet on 1 July 2025.
• The commissioning ceremony was held at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia

Key features and significance of INS Tamal:

Advanced stealth capabilities: It is a multi-role stealth frigate, which means it will be difficult to avoid enemy radars. Its design gives it advanced stealth features and greater stability.

Part of Project 1135.6: INS Tamal is the eighth vessel of the 'Project 1135.6' series and the second in the 'Tushil' class of follow-on ships. The first ship of this class, INS Tushil, was inducted in December 2024.

Multi-dimensional warfare capability: It is designed for operations in all four dimensions of naval warfare, including air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic warfare.

Lethal weapon systems:

It deploys the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, capable of hitting targets on both surface and land.

Vertically launched long-range surface-to-air missiles, such as the Shtil-1, are also included in it.

Other weapons include a 100 mm main gun, 30 mm close-in weapon system (CIWS), anti-submarine rockets and heavy torpedoes.

It can also carry Kamov-28 and Kamov-31 helicopters, useful for anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning roles.

Indigenisation: Though it is built in Russia, it comprises 26% indigenous components. It integrates several systems developed by Indian industries in line with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

India-Russia cooperation: It symbolises the strong naval cooperation between India and Russia.

Last foreign-built warship: INS Tamal is the last foreign-built warship to be inducted into the Indian Navy. Henceforth, all warships will be built in India itself, further promoting the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaigns.

Induction into Western Fleet: After commissioning, INS Tamal will be part of the Western Fleet - 'The Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy, under the Western Naval Command.

Crew and Naming: The ship is commanded by Captain Shridhar Tata. The name 'Tamal' symbolises the mythical sword used by Indra for battle, and its mascot is inspired by the confluence of 'Jambavantha' (the immortal bear king) of Indian mythology and the Russian national animal - the Eurasian brown bear. Its crew is called 'The Great Bears'.