Outlook Business Desk
On July 1, 2025, the Indian Navy will commission INS Tamal, a Russian-built Talwar-class frigate. It marks the end of foreign warship buys, as India shifts focus to building advanced, weapon-loaded ships at home.
INS Tamal, a Tushil-class guided-missile stealth frigate built in Kaliningrad, Russia, will be commissioned on July 1, 2025. It’s the fourth and final ship under the 2016 India-Russia deal, marking the end of foreign frigate buys and supporting India’s vision of a 200-ship, 500-aircraft Navy.
INS Tamal marks a turning point for the Navy. Instead of relying on imports, India is now focusing on building its own frigates, destroyers and carriers at local shipyards—signaling a strong push for self-reliant defence.
INS Tamal is 125 metres long with a 15-metre beam and displaces around 4,000 tons. Powered by gas turbines, it can exceed 30 knots. Built for endurance, it can operate solo or as part of a naval task group in open seas.
INS Tamal is armed with BrahMos missiles for long-range strikes, Shtil-1 SAMs for air defence, a 100 mm main gun, AK-630 CIWS, torpedoes and RBU-6000 anti-submarine rockets. It also has a hangar and deck to support one naval helicopter for recon and ASW missions.
The INS Tamal ceremony marks the Navy’s final Talwar-class import. Meanwhile, INS Triput and INS Tavasya are being built at Goa Shipyard with over 60% Indian components—highlighting the rising strength of India's domestic defence industry.
The Indian Navy plans to induct 123 multi-role helicopters for deck operations and 111 utility helicopters for logistics and patrol tasks. It’s also developing the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) to boost carrier-based air power.
Indian shipyards are ramping up next-gen warships. Under Project 17A, stealth frigates like INS Nilgiri, Himgiri and Udaygiri are in trials. Project 15B has already delivered advanced destroyers like INS Visakhapatnam and Mormugao, now in active service.
INS Tamal’s induction highlights India’s goal of building a tech-driven, self-reliant Navy. With carriers, submarines and aircraft in the pipeline, the Navy aims to secure the Indian Ocean and counter rising maritime challenges with credible force.