By :- Shruti Tiwari
The Indian Navy added significant firepower to its arsenal with the commissioning of two state-of-the-art stealth warships – INS Tamal and INS Udaygiri – marking a new chapter in India’s maritime strength and defence self-reliance.
INS Tamal Commissioned in Russia
INS Tamal, the final stealth warship constructed on foreign soil, was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy on Tuesday in a ceremony held at Kaliningrad, Russia. The event was attended by senior Indian and Russian defence officials, including Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
INS Tamal has been named after the mythical sword of Lord Indra and is designed to be a deadly maritime warrior. Built using the latest in stealth technology, the ship is virtually invisible to enemy radar systems. Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, the vessel can destroy enemy targets on land and sea within seconds.
Key weapon systems onboard INS Tamal include:
- BrahMos Supersonic Missiles – for precision long-range strikes.
- Vertical Launch Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) – providing air defence against aerial threats.
- Anti-Submarine Rockets and Torpedoes – to eliminate underwater threats.
- 100 mm Naval Gun & 30 mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) – for close-range combat.
- Advanced Sonar and Radar Suites – for enhanced surveillance and situational awareness.
With INS Tamal, India completes its last foreign-built warship project. Going forward, all naval warships will be constructed indigenously, aligning with the vision of a self-reliant defence industry.
INS Udaygiri Delivered Under Project 17A
Meanwhile, the second stealth frigate under Project 17A, INS Udaygiri, has been officially handed over to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) in Mumbai.
Built with next-generation stealth features and high-end weaponry, INS Udaygiri is designed to safeguard India’s maritime interests across high seas. The ship was delivered just 37 months after its launch — a record timeline that showcases the growing efficiency of Indian shipbuilding.
Notable features of INS Udaygiri include:
- Stealth Design – to evade enemy radar detection.
- Supersonic Missiles & Medium Range Air Defence System – for multi-layered offensive and defensive capabilities.
- 76 mm Gun and CIWS – for swift and accurate close-range engagements.
- Diesel and Gas Turbine Hybrid Propulsion – for improved speed and endurance.
- Integrated Construction Techniques – reducing build time and improving overall strength.
Udaygiri’s design is 4.5% larger than its predecessor P17 class, offering better accommodation and enhanced mission capabilities. The vessel is a symbol of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative and demonstrates the growing strength of the country’s defence manufacturing sector.
Strategic Impact
With the induction of INS Tamal and INS Udaygiri, the Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its ability to project power and protect strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. The addition of these stealth frigates not only increases India’s maritime dominance but also signals a shift toward complete indigenous warship development in the near future.
These vessels are expected to serve as key assets in the Navy’s Western Command and will participate in both defensive patrols and joint exercises with allied navies globally.