On July 1, 2025, a proud and historic moment unfolded at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, as the Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F71)—a state-of-the-art Talwar-class stealth frigate. Beyond its technical prowess, this event signifies the conclusion of India’s reliance on foreign warship imports and marks a powerful shift toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat, a self-reliant India. 

INS Tamal is the 51st ship produced under Indo-Russian collaboration over the past 65 years, and fittingly, it is also the last major warship India will induct from overseas shipyards. This moment is not just about steel, firepower, and propulsion; it’s a reflection of India's growing confidence in its domestic defence industry and a tribute to decades of Indo-Russian naval partnership.

An Era Ends, A Vision Begins

Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, described Tamal’s commissioning as a pivotal milestone both for India’s maritime security and the deep-rooted relationship with Russia. The ship, while constructed in Kaliningrad, boasts an impressive 26% indigenous content. This includes the Indian-developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and the HUMSA-NG sonar system—symbols of India’s growing technological edge. As the final imported warship to join the Indian Navy, INS Tamal bridges the past and the future—closing a chapter of foreign dependency while opening another of domestic capability, innovation, and resilience.

A Sword at Sea: The Meaning Behind INS Tamal

Named after the mythical sword wielded by Indra, the King of Gods in Indian mythology, Tamal carries not just firepower but meaning. It joins the Indian Navy’s ‘Sword Arm,’ the Western Fleet, based at Karwar in Karnataka. Commanded by Captain Sridhar Tata, an expert in gunnery and missile warfare, the ship is a symbol of India’s maritime destiny. INS Tamal is based on the upgraded Krivak III-class design, known in India as the Talwar-class (Project 1135.6). It is 124.8 meters long, displaces over 4,000 tons, and is a masterpiece of modern naval architecture.

INS Tamal: A Technological Marvel at Sea

INS Tamal shows the Indian Navy's transition into a technologically advanced, self-reliant force. Powered by a COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) propulsion system with Zorya-Mashproekt M7N1 turbines, the frigate delivers 44,000 horsepower, enabling speeds up to 30 knots (56 km/h). This power is paired with cutting-edge weaponry, including eight vertically launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, capable of precise land and sea strikes, and a 24-cell Shtil-1 medium-range surface-to-air missile system for aerial defense. 

Armament also features the A-190E 100mm naval gun and AK-630 CIWS for close-range threats. For anti-submarine warfare, Tamal is equipped with RBU-6000 rocket launchers, heavyweight torpedoes, and the indigenous HUMSA-NG sonar. It also supports onboard operations for Ka-28, Ka-31, or HAL Dhruv helicopters, enhancing her surveillance and strike range.

At the heart of every warship is its crew, and Tamal’s soul is powered by 180 brave sailors. Trained both in India and Russia, the crew represents a fusion of discipline, technology, and spirit. They undertook months of rigorous training in Saint Petersburg and Kaliningrad, enduring Russia’s waters and tough sea trials, culminating in flawless delivery acceptance trials by June 2025.

Indigenous Future, Global Vision

While Tamal may be the last imported warship, it is far from the end of India’s naval ambitions. Two more frigates of the same class are already being constructed at Goa Shipyard, with assistance from Russia’s Yantar Shipyard, but this time, entirely on Indian soil. Simultaneously, the next-generation P17A Nilgiri-class frigates, designed and built in India, are entering service, boasting even more indigenous content and cutting-edge tech. This evolution from the Russian-built Talwar class to the Indian-made Nilgiri class is more than a story. It is India’s transformation into a true maritime power with indigenous roots and global reach.

The ship’s motto, “Victorious Always, Everywhere,” relates deeply not just as a battle cry, but as a national aspiration. With Tamal, India sails confidently toward a horizon of self-reliance and strength.