'INS Tamal', advanced stealth warship with next-gen warfighting tech, to join Indian Navy's ‘Sword Arm’

Come July 1, stealth multi-role frigate 'INS Tamal', equipped with the latest technology in warfighting, including the BrahMos supersonic missile system for anti-ship and land-attack capabilities, surface surveillance radar complex and HUMSA NG Mk II sonar with the anti-submarine weapon firing complex, will be inducted into the Indian Navy.

 

The frigate, named after the mythical sword used by Indra, is the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades.

 

Tamal—the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are the upgraded versions of their predecessors, Talwar and Teg classes—has been built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign country. It has  26 per cent indigenous components, including the BrahMos. The warship also features modern communication and data-link systems, navigation equipment and critical infrastructure, making it a powerful asset for naval operations.

 

The 125m long, 3,900-tonne warship has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors, such as vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, improved 100 MM gun, new age EO/IR system in addition to the standard 30 MM CIWS, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, and a host of surveillance and fire control radars and systems, according to defence ministry.

ALSO READ: When will India's hypersonic cruise missiles be ready for induction?

“Force multipliers include air early warning and multi-role helicopters, which can operate from the deck of Tamal. The combat capability of the ship is augmented by a host of network-centric warfare capabilities and advanced electronic warfare suite. Tamal punches well above its weight with a very high tonnage to firepower ratio, extended endurance, and a top speed in excess of 30 knots,” the ministry said.

 

The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, as the Chief Guest, in the presence of many high-ranking Indian and Russian government and defence officials.

 

Upon commissioning, Tamal will join the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet, under the Western Naval Command. 

 

As part of the broader contract for the Tushil class, two similar frigates called the Triput class, are being built at  Shipyard Limited with transfer of technology and design assistance from Russia. By the conclusion of this series of ships, the Indian Navy will be operating ten ships with similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weapon and sensor fit over four different classes, the ministry said.

Defence