STEALTH FRIGATE INS TAMAL TO BE COMMISSIONED

STEALTH FRIGATE INS TAMAL TO BE COMMISSIONED

Why in the News?

• INS Tamal commissioning: The stealth multi-role frigate INS Tamal, part of the Project 1135.6 or Tushil class warships, will be commissioned on July 1 at Kaliningrad, Russia, marking a significant milestone in India’s naval modernisation efforts and defence cooperation with Russia. This commissioning represents the culmination of a long-standing Russian collaboration in naval development, with the project involving ten stealth frigates in total.
• Last major warship built abroad: INS Tamal is the last major warship for the Indian Navy built outside India, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, showcasing India’s commitment to naval self-reliance. This commissioning represents a landmark step in India’s journey towards indigenous warship production and improved logistics efficiency in naval operations.
• 8th Krivak-class: INS Tamal is the eighth of the Krivak class frigates, also known as upgraded Krivak III or Tushil class warships, inducted over two decades. The Krivak class history dates back to the 1970s, highlighting the enduring friendship and collaboration between India and Russia in naval development.

Key Features of INS Tamal

• Advanced design: A 125-metre-long, 3,900-tonne ship with enhanced stealth and stability features, optimized for operational flexibility in the Indian Ocean Region. Its impressive tonnage-to-firepower ratio makes it a formidable asset in various maritime scenarios, embodying the motto “Sarvada sarvatra vijaya” (Victory always, everywhere).
• Indigenous systems: 26% indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missiles with enhanced range and 33 Made-in-India systems, demonstrating significant contributions to India’s defence capabilities. This integration of cutting-edge Indian-origin equipment, including systems from Bharat Electronics Ltd, is a proud testament to the country’s growing technological prowess and the success of joint ventures in the defense sector.
• Combat readiness: Successfully completed 3 months of extensive sea trials; equipped with cutting-edge sensors and weapons for network-centric warfare capabilities. The ship boasts an impressive array of armaments, including close-range rapid fire gun systems, Shtil surface-to-air missiles, and heavyweight torpedoes. The advanced gun system and rocket-based anti-submarine weapons further enhance its combat capabilities.
• Trained crew: Over 250 personnel trained in Russia’s harsh winters, ensuring operational readiness and excellence in challenging conditions. The warship overseeing team has worked tirelessly to prepare the crew for full operational readiness upon commissioning, demonstrating operational excellence even in challenging winter conditions.

Indigenisation and Future Prospects

• Atmanirbhar push: INS Tamal marks a shift to domestic warship production, reinforcing India’s naval self-reliance initiatives. This transition is supported by joint ventures between Indian companies like Tata Advanced Systems and international partners, fostering technological transfer and enhancing domestic capabilities.
• Triput class: Two similar frigates are being built at Goa Shipyard Limited with Russian technology support, further enhancing India’s shipbuilding capabilities and strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two nations. This continued Russian collaboration ensures the transfer of crucial shipbuilding expertise and improves logistics efficiency in naval production.
• Fleet integration: INS Tamal will join the Western Naval Command’s Mumbai-based Western Fleet, boosting the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities and maritime deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region. This addition is crucial in the current geopolitical context, where naval strength and network-centric warfare play a pivotal role in regional security.