ISTANBUL

Russian shipbuilders in Kaliningrad formally handed over the stealth frigate Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tamal to the Indian Navy on Tuesday, marking the final foreign-built warship in New Delhi’s acquisition plan.

According to United Shipbuilding Corporation, the Tamal, meaning “Sword” in Sanskrit, was the eighth vessel of its class built for India by Russia.

The Indian Navy has already commissioned the frigate for sea trials, according to an official statement from New Delhi.

The ship will embark on its maiden voyage to its homeport of Karwar in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.

"Tamal will touch various ports en route and showcase her combat prowess. It would reach India in combat-ready condition, set to dominate the maritime space," the statement said.

United Shipbuilding Corporation CEO Andrey Puchkov described the warship as a "modern and multifunctional ship with high combat capabilities against surface, underwater, land and aerial threats."

He added that Russian specialists would continue to support the construction of two additional frigates at Indian shipyards.

Equipped with the Shtil-1 vertical launch missile system developed by Almaz-Antey, the Tamal features enhanced air defense and radar systems capable of detecting low-flying anti-ship missiles.

Its armament includes 100 mm and 30 mm artillery systems and electronic warfare equipment designed to counter drones and unmanned boats.

The frigate also incorporates a reinforced helipad for the Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopter and has an operational range of 4,850 miles, with an endurance of 30 days at sea.

The INS Tamal is the “last warship to be inducted from a foreign source,” the Indian government statement noted.