INS Tamal

Source: TOI

Context: India is set to receive INS Tamal, its second advanced stealth frigate built by Russia under the Krivak-III class deal.

About INS Tamal:

• What is INS Tamal? INS Tamal is a 3,900-tonne advanced stealth frigate built in Russia as part of India’s Krivak-III class deal signed in 2016. It is the sister ship of INS Tushil, commissioned in December 2024.

• INS Tamal is a 3,900-tonne advanced stealth frigate built in Russia as part of India’s Krivak-III class deal signed in 2016. It is the sister ship of INS Tushil, commissioned in December 2024.

• Developed by:

• Built at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia Joint project under India-Russia defence collaboration Part of a four-frigate contract — 2 built in Russia, 2 under construction at Goa Shipyard with technology transfer

• Built at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia

• Joint project under India-Russia defence collaboration

• Part of a four-frigate contract — 2 built in Russia, 2 under construction at Goa Shipyard with technology transfer

• Key Features:

• Stealth Technology: Radio, infrared, and acoustic signature suppression for survivability Weapon Systems: BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles (range: 450 km) Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles Anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets Speed: Over 30 knots Helicopter Capability: Can carry Kamov-28 and Kamov-31 for anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning Automation: High automation reduces crew workload and increases operational efficiency

• Stealth Technology: Radio, infrared, and acoustic signature suppression for survivability

• Weapon Systems: BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles (range: 450 km) Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles Anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets

• BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles (range: 450 km)

• Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles

• Anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets

• Speed: Over 30 knots

• Helicopter Capability: Can carry Kamov-28 and Kamov-31 for anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning

• Automation: High automation reduces crew workload and increases operational efficiency

• Predecessor: INS Tushil, first of the four frigates, arrived at Karwar Naval Base on February 2025.

• Strategic Significance:

• Enhances India’s blue-water capabilities for operations in air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic domains Crucial amid rising maritime tensions, especially in the Arabian Sea Reinforces naval deterrence and force projection in the Indo-Pacific Showcases successful Make in India + global collaboration with local production of Triput & Tavasya in Goa Shipyard

• Enhances India’s blue-water capabilities for operations in air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic domains

• Crucial amid rising maritime tensions, especially in the Arabian Sea

• Reinforces naval deterrence and force projection in the Indo-Pacific

• Showcases successful Make in India + global collaboration with local production of Triput & Tavasya in Goa Shipyard