India’s Naval Advancements – INS Tamal Commissioned, INS Udaygiri Delivered – A Strategic CLAT 2026 Insight
Why in News?
On July 1, 2025, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal, a guided missile frigate built by Russia, into its fleet. This event was historic not just because of the induction, but because it marked the last foreign-built warship to join the Indian Navy. From this point forward, the Indian Navy’s capital acquisitions will be either indigenous or built in India under Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
On the same day, INS Udaygiri, a stealth frigate built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDSL), was delivered to the Navy under the indigenous Project 17A, demonstrating India’s growing prowess in shipbuilding.
Introduction
India’s maritime landscape is rapidly evolving. From protecting sea trade routes to acting as a regional net security provider in the Indo-Pacific, the Navy has to be agile, lethal, and technologically superior.
The commissioning of INS Tamal and the delivery of INS Udaygiri is a strategic milestone—symbolizing India’s shift from a buyer of warships to a builder. For CLAT 2026 aspirants, this topic covers critical intersections of international relations, strategic law, defense procurement, and indigenous capability-building.
INS Tamal – Capabilities and Strategic Role
- Country of Origin: Russia
- Shipyard: Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad
- Class: Project 1135.6 (Talwar-class)
- Fleet: Assigned to Western Naval Command, Karwar
Key Features:
- BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system (dual configuration)
- 100 mm main gun for surface combat
- Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) for anti-missile defense
- Anti-submarine torpedoes
- Advanced radar and EW systems
INS Tamal is part of a series of modern frigates offering multi-role capabilities, including anti-submarine, surface, air warfare, and electronic warfare. It will significantly strengthen the Sword Arm of the Western Fleet.
INS Udaygiri – Homegrown Stealth Frigate
- Built by: MDSL, Mumbai
- Class: Project 17A (successor to Project 17 – Shivalik class)
- Status: Delivered, sea trials underway
Features:
- Advanced stealth design: reduced radar cross-section
- Equipped with:
- Surface-to-air missiles
- Anti-submarine torpedoes
- Anti-ship missiles
- Integrated sonar and radar systems
- Built using modular construction
Udaygiri represents the best of Indian engineering and will enhance India’s capacity to counter threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
🇷🇺 Project 1135.6 – The Talwar-Class Legacy
Project 1135.6 includes seven guided missile frigates built by Russia for India between the 2000s and 2025.
Ships Inducted:
- INS Talwar
- INS Trikand
- INS Tarkash
- INS Teg
- INS Tabar
- INS Tushil
- INS Tamal (final ship)
These vessels are stealth-capable, fast, and built for multi-dimensional warfare. They were crucial during anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and naval diplomacy missions.
INS Tamal and Tushil were built under a follow-on order signed in 2018, with Indian specifications and Russian construction expertise.
Warship Classification – Explained for CLAT
Type | Description | Indian Examples |
Frigate | Mid-sized, fast, multi-role warship | INS Talwar, INS Shivalik, INS Udaygiri |
Destroyer | Larger than frigates, high firepower, offensive in nature | INS Kolkata, INS Visakhapatnam |
Cruiser | Very large, heavily armed ships (India doesn’t operate cruisers) | – |
Submarine | Underwater vessels for stealth and strategic deterrence | INS Arihant, INS Kalvari |
Aircraft Carrier | Floating airbases for jet operations | INS Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya |
These ships serve distinct roles in sea denial, power projection, and maritime security.
Strategic & Legal Relevance
- Atmanirbhar Bharat & DAP 2020:
India’s Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 prioritizes indigenous production. With INS Tamal, India ends its foreign-built warship imports, aligning with DAP goals.
- UNCLOS & Maritime Law:
India, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), has exclusive economic zone (EEZ) rights and responsibilities. A robust Navy helps enforce maritime laws, counter piracy, and secure sea lanes.
- Self-Defence under UN Charter:
Article 51 of the UN Charter allows states to strengthen defense mechanisms for sovereignty. Naval deterrence plays a legal and strategic role in this.
- Technology Transfers & IP Rights:
Contracts like those under Project 1135.6 often include transfer of technology (ToT) and intellectual property considerations, making them relevant for legal reasoning in CLAT.
Notes – Key Terms for CLAT 2026
- Project 1135.6: Talwar-class Russian frigates for India
- Project 17A: Indigenous stealth frigates (advanced Shivalik class)
- BrahMos: Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile
- CIWS: Close-in Weapon System for missile interception
- Blue-water Navy: Navy capable of global operations
- UNCLOS: UN treaty on maritime rights
- DAP 2020: Indian defense procurement policy
Conclusion
The commissioning of INS Tamal and the delivery of INS Udaygiri are symbolic and strategic. One concludes India’s era of foreign-built warships. The other strengthens India’s indigenous naval capabilities. Both contribute to India’s vision of a blue-water navy, capable of dominating regional waters and contributing to global peacekeeping.
For CLAT 2026 aspirants, this is more than current affairs—it reflects a confluence of law, policy, technology, and diplomacy. With questions becoming more interdisciplinary, topics like this can appear in multiple sections of the exam.
Stay tuned with CLAT Gurukul, the best online coaching for CLAT, for more such strategic updates under CLAT Current Affairs 2026.
