Russia hands a new frigate to India

Russia has handed over to the Indian Navy the eighth frigate of Project 11356 — INS Tamala. Until 2014, Ukrainian-made gas turbine engines were used for this project.

According to “Militarnyi”, the transfer of the new frigate took place on the territory of the USK shipbuilding plant (under EU sanctions since 2022) in Kaliningrad, where frigates of this project are being built for the needs of the Indian fleet.

The publication notes that the frigate was first laid down for the Russian Navy under the name “Admiral Istomin” on November 15, 2013. At that time, Ukrainian gas turbines of the M7N series produced by the State Enterprise “Zorya” — “Mashproekt”, located in the city of Mykolaiv, were used for its construction. These engines were supplied to the Indian side by the State Enterprise “Ukroboronprom”.

However, after 2014, the supply of Ukrainian engines was stopped, and in 2017 the Russian Navy announced its intention to complete the construction of the Admiral Istomin frigate for the Black Sea Fleet using an alternative engine option.

Subsequently, in 2018, Russia and India signed a contract for the completion of two unfinished frigates of this project — Admiral Butakov and Admiral Istomin — with their subsequent transfer to the Indian Navy. In 2019, construction was officially restarted in the interests of the Indian Navy.

The ship is due to join the Indian Western Fleet in September 2025 and will patrol the Indian Ocean. This is the eighth frigate of Project 11356 and the second of the Tushil series. In total, the Indian fleet will be replenished with ten such ships — two more are being completed in India and should be commissioned by the end of 2026.

USM previously reported that the Russian shipowner plans to challenge EU sanctions in court.