In a significant milestone for Indo-Russian defense cooperation, the Indian Navy commissioned its latest stealth multirole frigate, INS Tamal, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia on July 1. The ceremony marked not only the induction of a powerful new warship into India’s naval fleet but also the conclusion of a long-standing era of foreign-built major surface combatants for India, aligning with the nation’s renewed push for indigenous defense production under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.

Presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, the commissioning of Tamalunderscores the enduring defense ties between India and Russia that continue to evolve beyond procurement into collaborative shipbuilding and technology transfer.

“This is a momentous occasion,” Singh remarked during the commissioning event. “INS Tamalis not just a ship – it is a symbol of strategic trust between India and Russia and a testament to our expanding maritime capabilities. As a potent multirole platform, it will strengthen the navy’s operational reach and readiness across the Indian Ocean.”

According to reports, the 3,900-tonne INS Tamal is the eighth Krivak-class frigate delivered to India by Russia over the past two decades. These Project 1135.6 class vessels – also known as the Talwar and Teg classes – are renowned for their stealth, versatility, and combat capabilities across air, surface, and underwater domains. The Indian Navy has described Tamal as a “formidable moving fortress at sea,” capable of operating across the full........

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