Indian Navy Receives Multirole Stealth Frigates, Equipped with Supersonic Cruise Missiles and Heavy-Duty Torpedoes
JAKARTA - The Indian Navy has received a new multi-role stealth frigate, packed with various features, including armaments and a helicopter deck.
The Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad handed over the Tamal (F71) frigate of Project 11356 to the Indian Navy on July 1, 2025. This is the fifth frigate the shipyard has built for India, according to the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).
"The handover ceremony took place on July 1 in Kaliningrad. The frigate is named Tamal, which means Sword. The acceptance certificate was signed by representatives of Rosoboronexport and the warship's commander," according to a USC statement, as quoted by TASS on August 20.
The handover ceremony was attended by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of India's Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh; Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan; and Commander Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation Navy, Sergei Lipilin, as quoted from the Indian Ministry of Defense website.
Before being handed over to India, Tamal successfully passed the acceptance test.
"This ship is a modern, multi-role warship with high combat capabilities against surface, land, underwater, and air targets," said USC CEO Andrey Puchkov, adding that USC will assist India in the construction of two other frigates in his country.
"Our experience and competence in the design and construction of warships are highly sought after by many leading countries in the world. We plan to expand international cooperation," he said.
Meanwhile, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev said the Tamal features 20 Indian-made systems, including the BrahMos supersonic missile, communications complex, detection and guidance radar, and sonar.
"The company is actively developing partnerships with the Indian government and private companies in the joint design and production of military products in partner regions. We are discussing 50 projects for all branches of the armed forces," he said.
Including the Tamal, India already operates eight Project 11356 frigates and is building two more at Goa Shipyard Limited.
The Project 11356 frigate is designed to counter submarines and warships in brown and blue waters, as well as to repel air attacks, both independently and in formation.
In addition, the frigate is armed with A-190 100mm artillery guns, anti-aircraft missiles, including Kalibr and Shtil, and torpedoes.
With a displacement of 3,620 tons, a length of 124.8 meters, a top speed of 30 knots, and a cruising range of 4,850 miles, the ship can also carry Ka-27 helicopters or their modifications.