New Delhi/Kaliningrad, June 24: The Indian Navy will commission its last foreign-built warship, INS Tamal, on July 1 at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, marking a significant milestone in India’s transition toward indigenous warship production, the Ministry of Defence said on Monday.
The Krivak-class stealth frigate, built under a long-standing defence partnership with Russia, will be the eighth and final vessel of its class imported from Moscow. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, in the presence of senior Indian and Russian defence officials.
INS Tamal is the last Indian Navy warship to be constructed abroad as New Delhi shifts focus to self-reliant defence production under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. Going forward, India is building two similar Triput-class frigates at Goa Shipyard Limited with Russian design and technology transfer, a move expected to boost indigenous capabilities.
“With this addition, the Indian Navy will operate ten ships with shared capabilities across four different classes, allowing for equipment and sensor commonality,” a defence official said.
The 125-metre-long, 3,900-tonne warship incorporates stealth features, enhanced stability, and an upgraded weapons suite, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The ship comprises 26% indigenous components, and the number of Indian-made systems has increased to 33, more than double that of its predecessors.
A crew of over 250 Indian personnel has undergone rigorous training in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, including operations in extreme winter conditions. The vessel has successfully completed three months of extensive sea trials, demonstrating the effectiveness of its weapons, sensors, and propulsion systems.
Once commissioned, INS Tamal will join the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, also known as the ‘Sword Arm’, under the Western Naval Command. The warship’s induction reflects growing emphasis on local defence manufacturing while maintaining strategic maritime cooperation with Russia, a key partner in India’s naval modernization over the past two decades.
