INS Tarkash, the second of the three stealth frigates constructed at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad Russia, is being commissioned and inducted into the Indian Navy by Vice Admiral Shekhar Kumar Sinha, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command on November 9, 2012 at Kaliningrad, Russia. Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation Ajai Malhotra is attending this importanat event. Senior officials of the Russian Government, Indian and Russian Navies, Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation, Rosoboronexport, United Shipbuilding Corporation, Yantar Shipyard and Russian industry representatives too witness the commissioning ceremony.

The induction of the second in the series of the multi-role stealth frigate with an advanced combat suite and an optimal blend of Russian and Indian cutting edge technologies, not only bolsters the Indian Navy’s role as a key facilitator in promoting peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region but also embodies the dynamic character of Indo-Russian military technical cooperation.

The formidable array of weapons and sensors onboard the ship include the supersonic BrahMos missile system, advanced surface-to-air-missile system, upgraded 100mm medium range gun, optically controlled 30mm close-in weapon system, torpedoes, rocket launchers and advanced electronic warfare/communication suite.

The ship is commanded by Captain Antony George, an anti-submarine warfare specialist. The ship will join the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy by December end this year.