Yantar-built ship a formidable moving fortress at sea
VAdm Sanjay Jasjit Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, said the commissioning of INS Tamal into the Indian Navy on 1 July marked a significant milestone in India’s maritime defense capabilities and Indo-Russian Cooperation.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia, he pointed out that INS Tamal joins the illustrious list of Talwar, Teg, and Tushil class of ships, renowned for their dependability and prowess.
The CinC congratulated the crew and Yantar Shipyard for their efforts in making the commissioning ceremony impressive and memorable.
He extended his appreciation to the Russian Ministry of Defence, FSMTC, Rosoboronexport, United Shipping Corporation, Yantar Shipyard, and the Warship Overseeing Team for their relentless efforts in building the warship.
“The commissioning of versatile platforms like INS Tamal enhances the Indian Navy’s reach, responsiveness, and resilience,” he said.
V Adm Sanjay Jasjit Singh also acknowledged the Russian Navy and Baltic Fleet for their role in bringing Tamal to its full combat capability and appreciated the commissioning crew for their dedication and professionalism.
He remarked that, though being built in Russia, the ship has 26% indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile and Humsa-NG Sonar system https://www.nseindia.com/.
The construction of the next two ships of the class in India further enhances the scope, potential and wide horizon in harnessing and synergising mutual strengths and joint capabilities https://www.bseindia.com/.
INS Tamal is a formidable moving fortress at sea and is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions — air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic.
The ship was launched on 24 February 2022. She sailed for her maiden sea trials Nov 2024, and completed an exhaustive schedule of Factory Trials State Committee Trials and the Delivery Acceptance Trials, both in harbour and at sea, by June 2025. The ship has successfully carried out trial firing of all her Russian weapon systems including the vertical launched surface to air missile Shtil-1, artillery weapons and torpedos.
Tamal punches well above her weight with Dual role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, vertically launched surface to air missile with extended ranges, the standard 30 MM Close in Weapon System, the 100 MM Main gun and very potent ASW rockets and heavyweight torpedoes.
Tamal is an amalgamation of Indian and Russian technologies with a host of state-of-the-art communication and network centric operational capabilities http://mod.gov.in.
The highly versatile combat management system fuses all weapons and sensors into an effective fighting machine. The ship is also capable of embarking the upgraded Anti-submarine and Airborne Early Warning helicopters, the Kamov 28 and Kamov 31, which are formidable force multipliers.
The ship has been equipped with complex automated systems for nuclear, biological and chemical defence, including damage control and fire-fighting that can be operated centrally from sheltered posts. These complex systems aid in minimising casualties, achieve rapid restoration of combat effectiveness, enhancing combat capability and survivability.
INS Tamal is manned by a crew of about 250 sailors and 26 officers. The officers and sailors of this ship embody the ships motto – Sarvatra Sarvada Vijaya (Victory always everywhere), signifying Tamal’s undying commitment to operational excellence in every mission, complementing Indian Navy’s motto ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force Safeguarding National Maritime Interests – Anytime, Anywhere’.
The ship will soon embark on her maiden passage back to her homeport of Karwar in Karnataka. Tamal will touch various ports enroute and showcase her combat prowess. It would reach India in combat-ready condition set to dominate the maritime space.
The first ship of Tushil class (INS Tushil) was commissioned on 9 Dec 24.
The commissioning ceremony was also attended by V Adm Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, V Adm Sergie Lipin, Commander Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation Navy, were also present on the occasion, along with other senior officials from the Indian and Russian Governments, Navies, and industries.
All seven ships inducted thus far are part of the Western Fleet – ‘The Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy under the Western Naval Command. This ceremony marks the formal induction of INS Tamal into the Indian Navy. The ship is commanded by Capt Sridhar Tata, a gunnery and missile warfare specialist.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mikhaeeiilv Babich, Deputy Director General of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation, highlighted the maritime technological cooperation between the Indian and Russian navies and its growing future trajectory.
This was followed by addresses of senior Russian government dignitaries and V Adm R Swaminathan, CWP&A, who highlighted the commissioning of Tamal as symbolic of the strategic partnership between India and Russia.
It also exemplifies the collaborative strength and the ability to dovetail technologies of both nations into one combat platform. He commented that the Indo-Russian strategic partnership has stood the test of time, with Tamal being the 51st ship being produced under this collaborative effort in the past 65 years.
He congratulated all those involved in the project, especially, the shipyard workers, Indian and Russian OEMs for their excellent workmanship, and flawless integration of indigenous systems contributing handsomely to Aatmanirbhar and Make in India initiative of the Indian Government. Fiinews.com
