Indian Navy Commissions the Latest Stealth Frigate Tamal in Russia

The Indian Navy commissioned its latest stealth multi-role frigate on July 1 at Kaliningrad, Russia. The ceremony was presided over by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command VAdm. Sanjay J Singh in the presence of many high-ranking Indian and Russian government and defence officials.

Called ‘Tamal’, it is the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades. Tamal is the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are the upgraded versions of their predecessors, Talwar and Teg classes having three ships each. India as part of the broader contract for Tushil class is also building two similar frigates called the Triput class at Goa Shipyard Limited with transfer of technology and design assistance from Russian. By the conclusion of this series of ships, Indian Navy will be operating ten ships with similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weapon and sensor fit over four different classes.

Tamal’s construction was closely overseen by an Indian team of specialists from the warship overseeing team stationed at Kaliningrad. At the Naval Headquarters, the project was steered by the directorate of ship production under the Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition.

Tamal has been built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source, following the issuance of the Defence Acquisition Policy’s negative list. The ship has 26 per cent indigenous components, with the collaboration of Indian naval specialists and Severnoye Design Bureau, of Russia. These include the BrahMos long-range cruise missile for targeting both at sea and land. The ship has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors, such as vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, improved 100 MM gun, new age EO/IR system in addition to the standard 30 MM CIWS, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, and a host of surveillance and fire control radars and systems. Force multipliers include Air Early Warning and Multi Role helicopters, which can operate from the deck of Tamal. The combat capability of the ship is augmented by a host of network centric warfare capabilities and advanced electronic warfare suite. Tamal punches well above its weight with a very high tonnage to firepower ratio, extended endurance, and a top speed in excess of 30 knots.

The crew, comprising of over 250 personnel have undergone rigorous ashore as well as afloat training in extremely challenging winter conditions of St Petersburg and Kaliningrad. Tamal has successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months, proving its systems, weapons and sensors.

The ship’s name, Tamal, symbolises the mythical sword used for combat by Indra—the king of the gods. The ship’s mascot is inspired by the congruence of the ‘Jambavant’, the immortal bear king of Indian mythology and the Russian national animal, the Eurasian brown bear. The ship’s crew collectively takes great pride in calling themselves the ‘The Great Bears’. Tamal stands as a testament to the longstanding Indo-Russian cooperation and friendship which has stood the test of time. The ship’s motto, Sarvada Sarvatra Vijaya (Victorious Always Everytime) signifies Indian Navy’s undying commitment to operational excellence in every mission, complementing its motto ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force Safeguarding National Maritime Interests—Anytime, Anywhere’.

The 125m long, 3,900-ton warship, packs a lethal punch. Tamal is an impressive blend of Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction. The ship’s new design provides it with enhanced stealth features and greater stability characteristics. Tamal is equipped with the latest technology in warfighting, including the BrahMos supersonic missile system for anti-ship and land-attack capabilities, surface surveillance radar complex and HUMSA NG Mk II sonar with the anti-submarine weapon firing complex amongst a host of cutting-edge weapon and sensors of Indian Origin. It also features modern communication and data-link systems, navigation equipment and critical infrastructure, making the ship a powerful asset for naval operations. The major Indian OEMs involved were BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, Elcome Marine, Johnson Controls India and many more.