INS Tamal Commissioned 2025: Indian Navy’s last foreign-built warship, INS Tamal, was commissioned in Kaliningrad with 26% indigenous content, advancing India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat defense vision.
🚢 INS Tamal Commissioned in Kaliningrad: A Strategic Milestone
Overview: Indo‑Russian Naval Collaboration
On 1 July 2025, the Indian Navy officially commissioned INS Tamal (F71) at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia. Presided by Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh and accompanied by senior Indian and Russian defense dignitaries, the ceremony underscored decades of bilateral naval cooperation
Heritage of the Project 11356 Lineage
INS Tamal is the eighth Talwar-class (Project 1135.6) stealth frigate operated by India, marking the second of the follow-on Tushil-class series Originally laid down in November 2013 as Admiral Istomin, it was relaunched in February 2022 and recently completed rigorous sea trials by June 2025
Cutting-Edge Weaponry & Sensor Systems
At ~4,000 tonnes and ~125 m in length, the heavily armed INS Tamal includes:
- 8 × BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles
- 24 × Shtil MRSAM (vertical launch)
- 100 mm A-190E main gun, 2 × AK‑630 CIWS
- RBU-6000 ASW rocket launcher & heavyweight torpedoes
- Advanced Indian-origin systems: Huma NG Mk2 sonar, ASW C2, plus radars
The ship can deploy Ka-28 ASW and Ka-31 AEW helicopters, reinforcing its anti-submarine and surveillance capabilities
A Symbol of Indigenisation
Despite being built in Russia, Tamal boasts approximately 26% indigenous content, with over 33 major Indian systems from OEMs like BrahMos Aerospace, BEL, Keltron, Tata-affiliates, and others It represents the last foreign-built warship for India, signalling a decisive shift toward self-reliance—aligned with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India” initiatives
Looking Ahead: Domestic Frigates on Horizon
Following Tamal, two additional Project 11356M frigates are being constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited, backed by Russian design transfers. These are slated for induction by 2026–27 Meanwhile, the larger indigenous P17A Nilgiri-class frigates will enter service alongside Tamal, reinforcing India’s maritime self-sufficiency.
Why This News Matters
Strengthening Strategic & Operational Capability
- Tamal’s induction adds advanced anti-air, anti-ship, and anti-submarine warfare capacities to the fleet—bolstering maritime defense of key sea lanes and India’s naval presence.
Boost to ‘Make in India’ Vision
- Although foreign-built, Tamal integrates over a quarter of indigenous systems, supporting Indian defense industries and paving the way for fully indigenously built warships.
Shift in Defense Policy
- Marking the end of foreign-built acquisitions, India’s naval procurement is firmly pivoting to indigenous design and construction, minimizing dependency and deepening self-reliance—key topics for UPSC, CDS, and naval service aspirants.
Historical Context: Evolution of India’s Naval Shipbuilding
Early Imports to Indigenous Vision
- Post-independence, India relied on British and Soviet warships. The INS Ajay (commissioned 1960) was the first indigenously built vessel.
- Leander-class frigates (1970s) had only ~15% indigenous content. By the 2000s, India progressed to Kolkata-class destroyers (~59% local), and today’s Vishakhapatnam & Nilgiri-class frigates exceed 75% indigenous content
Institutional Foundations
- The Central Design Office (1964) evolved into the Directorate of Naval Design (1970).
- The Directorate of Indigenisation (2005) and field units (2010) strengthened domestic capabilities
Strategic Push
- Government initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ have accelerated local naval production—highlighted by the P17A frigates and upcoming Goa-built Talwar variants.
Key Takeaways from “INS Tamal Commissioning”
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | INS Tamal, commissioned on 1 July 2025 at Kaliningrad, is the last foreign-built warship inducted into Indian Navy |
| |2| It belongs to the Project 1135.6 Talwar-class and is the second in the Tushil subclass, originally based on Russian frigates | |
| |3| Armament includes BrahMos missiles, Shtil SAMs, AK-630 CIWS, RBU-6000 & torpedoes, plus advanced Indian systems like Huma NG Mk2 sonar | |
| |4| Despite being constructed in Russia, the vessel features ~26% indigenous content (33+ Indian systems) | |
| |5| Represents a pivotal shift in India’s naval strategy—ending import dependency and emphasizing locally designed and built warships under Aatmanirbhar Bharat |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is INS Tamal?
Answer: INS Tamal is a Project 1135.6 Talwar-class stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, commissioned in Kaliningrad, Russia on July 1, 2025.
Q2. Why is the commissioning of INS Tamal significant?
Answer: It marks the last foreign-built warship inducted into the Indian Navy, symbolizing India’s transition towards full indigenization in naval shipbuilding.
Q3. What armaments are installed on INS Tamal?
Answer: The warship is equipped with BrahMos missiles, Shtil SAMs, A-190E main gun, AK-630 CIWS, RBU-6000 ASW rocket launcher, and torpedoes.
Q4. What is the indigenous content percentage in INS Tamal?
Answer: INS Tamal comprises approximately 26% indigenous systems, including sonar, command control systems, and radars.
Q5. What are the future indigenous warship projects after INS Tamal?
Answer: Two more Project 11356M frigates are under construction at Goa Shipyard Limited, and India is advancing the P17A Nilgiri-class frigates as part of its self-reliance strategy.
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