SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India is all set to welcome ‘Tamal’, the second of four Talwar-class stealth frigates being built under the Indo-Russian defense agreement signed in 2016. The handover of Tamal marks another milestone in the deepening strategic military collaboration between New Delhi and Moscow, particularly in the maritime domain.
The frigate was constructed at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, where around 200 Indian Navy personnel were stationed to participate in training and extensive sea trials. Following the successful conclusion of a six-week-long trial phase, the warship was officially handed over to India and is expected to arrive by May 28. The commissioning into the Indian Navy is likely to follow shortly in June 2025.
This development coincided with a diplomatic moment of solidarity, as Russian President Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The timing underlines the continued convergence of both countries on security and defense matters.
The Tamal is part of a $2.5 billion defense pact signed in 2016 for the construction of four advanced stealth frigates — two in Russia and two at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) under technology transfer. The first warship of the deal, INS Tushil, has already been inducted after a transcontinental journey covering over 12,500 nautical miles and crossing the territorial waters of eight countries.
Tamal, like its predecessor, comes with a suite of advanced and lethal capabilities. Designed for high maneuverability and precision strike operations, the 3,900-tonne warship features:
Supersonic BrahMos cruise missile launch capability
Anti-submarine rocket launchers and torpedoes
State-of-the-art radar-evading stealth technology
Multi-role helicopter operations from its deck
Advanced combat management systems and sensors for surveillance and targeting
These features equip Tamal to perform a range of tasks, from anti-air and anti-submarine warfare to surface strike and escort missions, significantly boosting the Indian Navy’s blue-water operational capabilities.
The delivery of Tamal reinforces India’s long-standing naval partnership with Russia, a key supplier of frontline warships to the Indian Navy since the Cold War era. The Talwar-class design is derived from Russia’s Krivak-class frigates, modified to suit Indian requirements — including compatibility with indigenous weapons like the BrahMos missile system.
India is also collaborating with Russia on the construction of additional submarines, and earlier inducted INS Vikramaditya, a refurbished Russian aircraft carrier. The handover of Tamal further cements this enduring defense synergy, even as India diversifies its strategic partnerships with other nations.
The arrival of Tamal comes at a time when India continues to monitor heightened security threats in its immediate and extended maritime neighborhood. As India’s role expands in Indo-Pacific security and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), assets like Tamal will be crucial for power projection, coastal defense, and safeguarding maritime trade routes.
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