Context:

The Indian Navy crew reached St. Petersburg that will operate Tamal, the stealth frigate under construction in Russia is preparing for its commissioning soon.

  • It will be the last warship to be commissioned outside India or imported as the country now designs and constructs its warships.
  • It is being built as part of the deal for four additional follow-on stealth frigates under an Inter-Governmental Agreement signed in October 2016. 
  • Under the deal, two ships are to be imported and two manufactured by Goa Shipyard Ltd. (GSL) under technology transfer.
  • A $1-billion deal was subsequently signed for the two frigates under direct purchase.
  • INS Tushil,the first ship to be manufactured in Russia under the deal, was commissioned on December 9, 2024.
  • INS Tushil and Tamal are part of the third batch of Talwar-class frigates (Krivak).
  • Key Features of INS Tamal
    • Armament:
      • Equipped with a 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) for enhanced naval artillery.
      • Features two Indigenous Triple Torpedo Launchers (ITTL) for 324mm torpedoes, supporting anti-submarine warfare.
    • Missile Systems:
      • Carries BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and vertically-launched Shtil surface-to-air missiles for offensive and defensive capabilities.
      • Equipped with advanced anti-submarine rockets and torpedoes to counter underwater threats.
    • Specifications:
      • Built under Project 1135.6 as part of an upgraded Krivak-III-class series.
      • 125 meters in length and a displacement of 3,900 tonnes.
      • Approximately 26% of components are sourced from Indian manufacturers.
    • Design and Capability:
      • Designed for blue water operations.
      • Capable of engaging in air, surface, underwater, and electronic warfare.
      • It is designed for precision strikes and high maneuverability, capable of cruising at speeds of up to 30 knots (55 km/h).
      • It has an operational range of 3,000 kilometers on a single mission.
      • Built to evade enemy radar detection, enhancing its survivability in modern warfare.
      • Can carry and operate a multi-role helicopter for extended surveillance and combat missions.

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