New Delhi, July 2, 2025: The Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Tamal (F 71) on July 1 at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, marking a major boost to India’s maritime defence capabilities and symbolising enduring Indo-Russian strategic cooperation.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, presided over the ceremony. Senior officials including V Adm Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, and V Adm Sergie Lipin, Commander of Russia’s Baltic Fleet, were present along with dignitaries from both nations’ governments, navies, and defence industries.
INS Tamal is the eighth stealth frigate of Project 1135.6 and the second ship in the follow-on Tushil class. The first ship, INS Tushil, was commissioned in December 2024. Commanded by Capt Sridhar Tata, INS Tamal joins India’s Western Fleet — ‘The Sword Arm’ of the Navy — and is designed for blue-water operations across air, surface, underwater, and electronic warfare domains.
The ceremony featured a joint Guard of Honour, lowering of the Russian Navy flag, hoisting of the Indian ensign, and reading of the Commissioning Warrant. Vice Admiral Swaminathan underscored the commissioning as a testament to India-Russia collaboration, noting that Tamal is the 51st ship produced through Indo-Russian partnership in the last 65 years.
Vice Admiral Singh hailed the ship as a “force multiplier” with its advanced combat systems, including BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Shtil-1 surface-to-air missiles, 100mm main gun, potent ASW rockets, heavyweight torpedoes, and integration of Indian technologies like the Humsa-NG sonar. He highlighted that the ship has 26% indigenous components, and future ships in the class will be constructed in India, boosting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
INS Tamal’s advanced electronic warfare systems, network-centric combat management suite, and ability to embark Kamov 28 and 31 helicopters enhance its reach and lethality. Automated damage control and NBC defence systems ensure survivability in modern naval warfare.
With a crew of 26 officers and 250 sailors, INS Tamal embodies its motto “Sarvatra Sarvada Vijaya” (Victory Always Everywhere). The ship will soon set sail for its homeport at Karwar, Karnataka, showcasing its combat readiness during its maiden voyage.
Vice Admiral Singh concluded by affirming the Indian Navy’s commitment to being a “Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force,” prepared to safeguard national maritime interests anytime, anywhere.