What makes Indian Navy's stealth warship INS Tamal, being commissioned in Russia, an 'impenetrable fortress'

INS Tamal, the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are the upgraded versions of their predecessors—Talwar and Teg—is being commissioned in Russia's Kaliningrad on Tuesday.

 

Ahead of the commissioning, the Indian Navy, in a video, called the stealth multi-role frigate "an impenetrable fortress".

 

Equipped with a host of highly advanced weaponry, including vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, the improved 100 MM gun, new age EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared) system,  the standard 30 MM CIWS, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, surveillance and fire control radars and systems, and advanced loading mechanism to strike areal and surface targets, INS Tamal punches above its weight with a very high tonnage to firepower ratio, extended endurance, and a top speed in excess of 30 knots. 

 

The 125m long, 3,900-tonne warship, with 26 per cent indigenous content, is a perfect blend of cutting-edge technologies from Russia and India and best practices in warship building. 

 

Tamal is 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 (Hull Mounted Sonar Array, New Generation) Mk II sonar with the anti-submarine weapon firing complex amongst a host of cutting-edge weapon and sensors of Indian Origin, the defence ministry said.

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"Tamal's BrahMos missiles enable engaging of targets at sea and land. The indigenous HUMSA-NG  sonar enables long-range detection of submarines, ensuring the kill. A 12-barrel rocket launcher provides critical rapid attack capabilities," according to the Navy.

 

The modern communication and data-link systems, navigation equipment and critical infrastructure make the ship a powerful asset for naval operations. The operation room of the INS Tamal features a next-generation combat management system, which fuses all sensor data, ensuring complete battlespace awareness. 

 

Force multipliers of the warship include Air Early Warning and Multi-Role helicopters, which can operate from the deck of INS Tamal. According to the defence ministry, the combat capability of the ship is augmented by a host of Network Centric Warfare capabilities and advanced Electronic Warfare suite.

 

INS Tamal will be the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source.

Defence