By Staff Correspondent
The recent commissioning of the Project 11356 frigate, christened Tamal, marks a new chapter in the longstanding defence cooperation between Russia and India. On July 1, 2025, in Kaliningrad, ROSOBORONEXPORT JSC, a key division of Rostec State Corporation and Russia’s sole state agency for defence exports, officially handed over the sophisticated vessel to the Indian Navy. This event not only highlights the technical excellence and robust partnership between the two nations but also signals broader trends in global military-technical collaboration and underlines Russia’s enduring influence in the South Asian defence market.
The Tamal, the eighth vessel of its class supplied to India, epitomizes joint technological advancement and customization to meet specific naval requirements. Built by United Shipbuilding Corporation and integrating over twenty Indian-manufactured systems—including the advanced BrahMos supersonic missile, communication suites, radar, and sonar—the frigate stands as a testament to the efficacy of technology transfer and localized component manufacturing. This collaborative approach aligns with India’s strategic objective of growing indigenous defence capabilities and reflects ROSOBORONEXPORT’s readiness to adapt to evolving global market demands.
From a technical perspective, the Project 11356 frigate is at the forefront of modern naval design. Its highly capable radar systems can detect and track various airborne threats, including advanced low-flying anti-ship missiles, thereby enhancing the Indian Navy’s situational awareness and survivability. The principal air defence is provided by the Shtil-1 vertical-launch surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, a product of the Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation, which further enhances its defensive capabilities. Additionally, the ship boasts formidable artillery—a combination of 100mm and 30mm systems—equipped to counter current threats such as unmanned aerial and surface vehicles. The inclusion of an advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite places it among the most well-protected ships in its class.
Moreover, operational flexibility is assured with a reinforced helipad designed to accommodate the Ka-31 long-range early warning helicopter, a critical asset for extended maritime domain awareness. With the ability to travel 4,850 miles without refuelling and remain at sea for up to 30 days, the Tamal ensures substantial endurance and reach vital for blue-water operations in the strategically important Indian Ocean Region.
The delivery of the Tamal augments an existing fleet of seven Project 11356 frigates already in service with the Indian Navy. The trend is poised to continue, with additional frigates currently under construction at Goa Shipyard Limited, leveraging Russian expertise under the aegis of ROSOBORONEXPORT. This ongoing cooperation not only consolidates India’s naval capabilities but also reinforces the Russian defence industry’s significant presence in India’s arms market, where ROSOBORONEXPORT accounts for a substantial proportion of exports and technical partnerships.
Beyond mere hardware transfer, this relationship has matured into substantive technology cooperation. As Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT, notes, over fifty joint projects across all branches of the armed forces, including the co-development and production of future military platforms, are in various stages of negotiation and execution. This collaborative strategy differentiates Russian proposals from many competitors, offering unique benefits beyond mere procurement.
At a broader level, this cooperation serves the strategic interests of both nations. For India, acquiring state-of-the-art, customizable naval assets supports its ambitions for regional maritime security and enables the development of a more self-reliant defence industrial base. For Russia, the partnership with India—spanning decades and involving over 700 defence enterprises—fortifies its global reputation in the arms market, sustains its industrial base, and contributes to strategic influence in a geopolitically vital region.
The commissioning of the frigate Tamal is emblematic of the resilient and evolving defence partnership between Russia and India. It underscores the trend toward collaborative technological development and localized production, serving both strategic and commercial interests. As both nations deepen their cooperation—not only in naval equipment but across the full spectrum of arms and technology—the delivery of Tamal sets a precedent for future international defence collaborations in the twenty-first century.
