India commissions INS Tamal, a next-gen stealth frigate under Project 1135.6, capable of evading advanced air defenses
INS Tamal: A Stealth Predator Born of Indo-Russian Synergy
Commissioned on July 1, 2025, at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, INS Tamal (F71) is the eighth and final foreign-built stealth frigate under the Indo-Russian Project 1135.6, also known as the Tushil-class. This 3,900-tonne warship is not just another addition to the Indian Navy it’s a floating fortress of stealth, speed, and strike power.
Table of Contents
Designed for four-dimensional warfare air, surface, sub-surface, and electronic INS Tamal integrates cutting-edge Indian and Russian technologies. Its radar-evading hull, low acoustic signature, and infrared suppression systems make it nearly invisible to even the most advanced detection systems, including Russia’s own S-500 Prometey.
Key features include:
- BrahMos dual-role supersonic cruise missiles with land and sea attack capability
- Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) for surface-to-air missiles
- Advanced electronic warfare suites and decoy launchers
- Kamov-28 and Kamov-31 helicopters for anti-submarine and airborne early warning roles
- Automated NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) defense systems
The ship’s motto, “Victory Always and Everywhere,” reflects its mission profile: strike first, vanish fast, and dominate every domain.
Built to Hunt: How INS Tamal Counters Fifth-Gen Fighter Threats
What makes INS Tamal truly formidable is its ability to detect, track, and neutralize stealth aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II, Su-57 Felon, and China’s J-35A. While these fifth-generation fighters are designed to evade conventional radar, Tamal’s multi-band radar arrays, passive detection systems, and networked sensor fusion give it a decisive edge.
Its BrahMos missiles, capable of flying at Mach 3 and maneuvering mid-flight, can outpace and outmaneuver any known air defense system, including the S-400 and S-500. Combined with real-time targeting data from satellites and airborne assets, Tamal can launch preemptive or retaliatory strikes with surgical precision.
Moreover, the ship’s electronic warfare suite can jam or spoof enemy radar and communication systems, creating a tactical blind zone around the vessel. This makes it not just a hunter but a ghost in contested waters.
Its combat information center is AI-assisted, enabling rapid threat assessment and autonomous countermeasures. In a hypothetical engagement, Tamal could detect an incoming stealth aircraft, launch a BrahMos, and relocate before the enemy even knows it’s been targeted.
Strategic Impact: A New Chapter in India’s Maritime Dominance
INS Tamal’s induction marks a watershed moment in India’s naval modernization. It is the 51st warship built under Indo-Russian collaboration and the last foreign-built major surface combatant before India shifts entirely to indigenous production under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The ship will be based at Karwar Naval Base, part of India’s Western Fleet nicknamed “The Sword Arm” of the Navy. Its presence in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will deter hostile incursions, secure sea lanes, and project power from the Gulf to the South China Sea.
Strategically, Tamal enhances India’s ability to:
- Counter China’s expanding naval footprint in the Indo-Pacific
- Support Quad and IOR allies with rapid-response capabilities
- Deter dual-front threats from Pakistan and China
- Enforce maritime exclusion zones during conflict scenarios
With 26% indigenous components, including the HUMSA-NG sonar and BrahMos missiles, Tamal also showcases India’s growing defense manufacturing ecosystem. The next two ships in the Tushil-class will be built at Goa Shipyard Limited, further boosting domestic capabilities.
Conclusion:
INS Tamal is not just a warship it’s a symbol of India’s strategic intent, technological prowess, and maritime ambition. With the ability to dodge the world’s most advanced air defenses and strike at stealth aircraft, it redefines what a modern frigate can achieve. As it sails into the Indian Ocean, Tamal sends a clear message: India is ready to lead, defend, and dominate above, below, and beyond the waves.
Stay updated with the latest news on Rapido Updates. Keep yourself updated with The World, India News, Entertainment, Market, Automobile, Gadgets, Sports, and many more