The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Tamal, a state-of-the-art stealth frigate, on July 1st in Kaliningrad, Russia. This marks a significant milestone as it is the last warship India will be importing, aligning with the nation's "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative in defense manufacturing.

INS Tamal is a Krivak-III class frigate (Project 11356.6), an upgraded version of the Talwar and Teg-class frigates. Built by Russia's Yantar Shipyard, the 125-meter long, 3,900-tonne warship incorporates advanced combat systems and a high degree of modular sensor and weapon integration. The ship's design includes enhanced stealth features and improved stability. It has a crew of around 250 personnel.

Specifications and Capabilities

• Dimensions: Length of 125 meters, beam of 15.2 meters.
• Displacement: 3,900 tonnes.
• Speed: Top speed exceeding 30 knots.
• Range: An operating range of 3,000 kilometers per deployment.
• Endurance: Extended endurance for prolonged missions.

INS Tamal is designed for blue-water operations, capable of engaging in air, surface, underwater, and electronic warfare. Its capabilities include high-seas patrols, anti-surface warfare, anti-aircraft defense, and anti-submarine operations.

Weapon Systems

The INS Tamal is equipped with a formidable array of weapons, including:

• BrahMos Missiles: Eight vertically launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles with a range of up to 300 km, capable of striking both land and sea targets. These missiles constitute a significant portion (26%) of the ship's indigenous components.
• Shtil-1 SAM System: A vertical launch system (VLS) housing Shtil-1 surface-to-air missiles, providing air defense against aerial intrusions, UAV threats, and incoming missiles, with a range of 50 km.
• A-190 100mm Naval Gun: An improved A190-01 100mm naval main gun for ship-to-shore bombardment.
• AK-630 CIWS: AK-630 30mm Close-In Weapon System for neutralizing incoming threats.
• Anti-Submarine Warfare: RBU-6000 rocket launcher and 324mm torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. It also features two Indigenous Triple Torpedo Launchers (ITTL) for 324mm torpedoes.
• Other weaponry: The frigate also features heavyweight torpedoes and urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets.

Sensors and Systems

INS Tamal boasts an integrated suite of sensors and electronic warfare systems:

• Air and surface search radars
• Electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) targeting pods
• MR-90 Orekh fire-control radars
• Electronic support measures (ESM) and jamming systems
• HUMSA-NG sonar for underwater surveillance and tracking
• Combat Management System (CMS) with secure datalink

Indian Navy's Future Plans

The commissioning of INS Tamal is part of the Indian Navy's broader modernization and expansion plans. The Navy aims to have 175-200 warships by 2035. Currently, there are approximately 64 vessels of various types under construction, including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and submarines. The long-term goal is to have a fully indigenously equipped navy by 2047.

The Indian Navy is also focused on increasing its indigenous content in already-commissioned warships. The Navy plans to acquire 123 Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) for its frontline destroyers and frigates.

Strategic Importance

INS Tamal will join the 'Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet. Its induction enhances India's maritime capabilities, bolstering maritime security and regional power projection in the Indian Ocean Region. The ship exemplifies the collaborative strength of the India-Russia partnership.

The INS Tamal will be the last warship inducted from a foreign source and represents a shift towards indigenous warship construction, with numerous projects underway in Indian shipyards. The Indian Navy's modernization journey underscores its commitment to becoming a formidable force in the IOR, equipped with state-of-the-art platforms and technologies. With a focus on indigenous innovation and regional leadership, the Indian Navy is well on its way to achieving its ambitious goals, ensuring that India's maritime interests remain secure for decades to come.