INS Tamal Inducted into Indian Navy

On July 1, 2023, the Indian Navy commissioned the INS Tamal at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards indigenisation in naval shipbuilding. This event is likely the last instance of the Indian Navy inducting a foreign-built warship, as the focus shifts to self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Key Information:

• INS Tamal:
  • Class: Eighth Talwar-class frigate (Project 1135.6).
  • Dimensions: Displacement of 4,035 long tonnes, length of 124.8 m, and beam of 15.2 m.
  • Speed: Maximum of 30 knots (56 km/h) with a range of up to 4,850 nautical miles (8,980 km).
  • Crew: Manned by 250 sailors and 26 officers.
  • Anti-aircraft Missiles: Carries 24 Shtil missiles (range of 70 km) and 8 Igla missiles, along with two AK-630 rotary cannons.
  • Surface Warfare Capabilities: Equipped with 8 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and a 100 mm A-190E main gun.
  • Underwater Warfare: Features a RBU ASW rocket-launcher and 533 mm torpedo tubes.
  • Advanced Systems: Includes state-of-the-art electronic warfare suite and is compatible with Kamov 28 and Kamov 31 helicopters.

Historical Context:

• INS Tamal is the second of four follow-on Talwar-class frigates ordered in 2018.
• The first ship, INS Tushil, was commissioned in December 2022. The final two frigates, Triput and Tavasya, are being constructed in India at Goa Shipyard Limited, incorporating technology transfer and design assistance from Russia.
• Triput is expected to be the first indigenously-built Talwar-class frigate and will be commissioned in 2026.

Indigenisation Journey:

• The Indian Navy’s commitment to indigenisation dates back to its early years post-Independence when India lacked the capability to design and build its own ships.
• The first indigenously-built ship, INS Ajay, was commissioned in 1960. By the late 1960s, the Navy began producing the Leander-class frigate with British assistance. Indigenous content has increased from about 15% in the 1970s to over 75% in recent classes.
• The Directorate of Naval Design was established in 1970 and has since evolved to design ships, submarines, and other naval assets, contributing to the indigenisation effort.

Transition to Aatmanirbharta:

• The commissioning of INS Tamal represents the culmination of decades of efforts towards self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.
• Currently, over 75% of the components and systems in Indian naval vessels are sourced locally.
• The Navy is on track to commission 9-10 warships built in India within the next six months, with further expansions expected over the next four to five years.

Future Prospects:

• The focus on indigenisation aligns with India’s broader defense strategy, reducing dependency on foreign equipment and bolstering domestic manufacturing capabilities.
• With an increasing emphasis on manufacturing at home, India's naval capabilities are expected to grow significantly, enhancing operational readiness and strategic autonomy.

Summary Points:

• Commissioning of INS Tamal on July 1, 2023, signifies a milestone in the Indian Navy's indigenisation efforts.
• INS Tamal is a multirole frigate with significant anti-air, surface, and underwater capabilities.
• The ship is part of a long-term strategy to enhance indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, moving from a reliance on foreign vessels to self-production.
• Current efforts show a significant increase in indigenous content, reaching over 75% in the latest classes of ships.
• Future commissions will mostly involve Indian-built ships as the Navy moves towards comprehensive self-reliance in defense manufacturing.