Navy set to commission latest stealth frigate Tamal in Russia in July

The commissioning comes six months after the first warship of the Tushil class, INS Tushil, was commissioned at Kaliningrad.

As part of the contract for construction of four Tushil class warships, India is building two similar frigates as INS Tushil and Tamal called the Triput class at Goa Shipyard Limited with transfer of technology and design assistance from Russia.

Once the construction of this series of ships is completed, the Navy will be operating 10 ships with similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weapon and sensor fit over four different classes, the Navy said in a statement Sunday.

According to the Navy, Tamal’s construction was closely overseen by an Indian team of specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team stationed at Kaliningrad, under the aegis of the Embassy of India, Moscow. At the Naval Headquarters, the project was steered by the Directorate of Ship Production under the Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition.

The Navy said that Tamal has been built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad and is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source in view of India’s push to be self-reliant in defence. The warship has 26% indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile for targeting both at sea and land.

Other indigenous systems include Surface Surveillance Radar complex and HUMSA NG Mk II sonar with the anti-submarine weapon firing complex among other weapons and sensors.

It also features modern communication and data-link systems, navigation equipment and critical infrastructure. BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, Elcome Marine, Johnson Controls India were among those involved.

Upgrades in the warship include vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, improved 100 mm gun, new age EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared) system in addition to the standard 30 MM CIWS (Close-In Weapon System, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, and a host of surveillance and fire control radars and systems.
The ship also includes Air Early Warning and Multi Role helicopters, which can operate from its deck.

“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 Navy said.

It added that the 125 m-long and 3,900-ton warship blends Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction.

According to the Navy, the crew, comprising over 250 personnel, have undergone rigorous ashore and afloat training in challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.

Tamal has completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months, the Navy added.