INS Tamal
Credit: X/@indiannavy
Mumbai: In a significant day for Indian Navy, multi-role stealth frigate INS Tamal on Tuesday became the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source - in what signifies the Government of India’s impetus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
INS Tamal is inspired by the sword of Indra, the King of the Gods and Jambavant, the immortal mythological Bear King.
INS Tamal stands as a testament to the longstanding Indo-Russian cooperation and friendship which has stood the test of time.
The ship was commissioned in Yantar Shipyard at Kaliningrad in Russia, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, Vice Admiral Sergie Lipin, Commander Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation Navy, Andrey Sergeyvich Puchkov, Director General United Shipbuilding Corporation and Mikhaeeiilv Babich, Deputy Director General of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation and Sergey Kupriynav- Director General of Russian Naval Department.
INS Tamal is the eighth multi-role stealth frigate in the series of Project 1135.6 and the second of the additional follow-on Tushil class of ships.
The first ship of Tushil class (INS Tushil) was commissioned on December 9, 2024, in presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
All seven ships inducted thus far are part of the Western Fleet - 'The Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy under the Western Naval Command. This ceremony marks the formal induction of INS Tamal into the Indian Navy.
The ship is commanded by Captain Sridhar Tata, a gunnery and missile warfare specialist.
“INS Tamal is symbolic of the strategic partnership between India and Russia. It also exemplifies the collaborative strength and the ability to dovetail technologies of both nations into one combat platform.The Indo-Russian strategic partnership has stood the test of time, with Tamal being the 51st ship being produced under this collaborative effort in the past 65 years,” said Vice Admiral Swaminathan.
The ceremony involved the lowering of the Russian Navy flag followed by reading of the Commissioning Warrant issue by the Chief of the Naval Staff to the Commanding Officer.
The Indian Naval ensign was hoisted in the presence of distinguished guests, accompanied by the national anthem and a ceremonial salute by the 'Colour Guard’ proudly presented by the crew.
Simultaneously, the ship's commissioning pennant was also hoisted, signifying its induction into active Naval service. The pennant will remain aflutter till the time the ship remains in commission.
Vice Admiral Singh said that INS Tamal joins the illustrious list of Talwar, Teg, and Tushil class of ships, renowned for their dependability and prowess.