Sailing into Self-Reliance: The Legacy of INS Tamal

Frigates: A Brief Historical Overview

1. Origin and Early Use
   1. The term "frigate" originated during Europe’s Age of Sail to describe fast, maneuverable, fully-rigged ships used mainly for scouting, escort, and patrol missions.
   2. These ships were smaller than line-of-battleships and typically had one gun deck.
2. Decline in the 19th Century
   1. Frigates fell out of use by the late 19th century as warships without sails emerged.
   2. They were replaced by cruisers, which had better armour and armament.
3. Return During World War II
   1. Frigates made a comeback in World War II, mainly in the Royal Navy.
   2. They were used for anti-submarine escort roles, protecting merchant ships from German U-boats.
   3. These modern frigates shared little with their historical counterparts apart from the name.
4. Impact of Missile Technology
   1. Post-WWII, the development of missile systems allowed small ships like frigates to carry significant firepower.
   2. This led to a renewed focus on frigates as an important class of warships in modern navies.
5. Present-Day Role
   1. Today, frigates are multirole platforms designed to carry guided missiles.
   2. They are used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-ship, anti-aircraft warfare, and land attacks.
   3. Modern frigates can operate independently or as part of a larger naval fleet.

Time Period

Key Developments in Naval Indigenisation

Post- Independence to 1960s

1. After Independence, India did not have the capability to build its own warships and had to depend on imports, mainly from the UK and the USSR.
2. In 1960, INS Ajay, a small patrol vessel, became the first indigenously built ship in India.
3. By the late 1960s, Leander-class frigates began to be produced in Mazagon Docks with British collaboration, but with only about 15% indigenous content.

1970s–1990s

1. Indigenous content in Indian-built ships started to grow slowly from the 1970s onwards.
2. In 1964, the Central Design Office (CDO) was established to support domestic ship design efforts.
3. The CDO became the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) in 1970, marking a significant step in institutionalising indigenous warship design.
4. By the 1990s, the Indian Navy had acquired the ability to design aircraft carriers, submarines, and guided missile destroyers on its own.

2000s

1. Indigenous components in Indian warships increased significantly. For example, Kolkata-class destroyers produced in the 2000s had about 59% indigenous content.

2005–2010

1. In 2005, the Directorate of Indigenisation was set up at the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi to further boost self-reliance in defence.
2. In 2010, Indigenous Development Field Units were created in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam to strengthen localised development of defence components.

2011–2021

1. Between 2001 and 2011, the Navy added 57,000 tonnes and 33 ships to its fleet.
2. From 2011 to 2021, it added 92,000 tonnes and 40 ships, with the majority of them being built using indigenous resources.
3. Out of the 39 ships ordered for the Navy as of 2021, 37 were being built in Indian shipyards, with only INS Tushil and INS Tamal being foreign-built.

2021–Present

1. The latest Vishakhapatnam and Nilgiri-class warships now have more than 75% indigenous content, marking a high point in India’s shipbuilding journey.
2. Even imported ships such as INS Tamal, built in Russia, include around 26% indigenous components.

2025 and Beyond

1. Between June and December 2025, the Navy plans to commission 9–10 new warships, all of which will be built in India.
2. It is expected that several more ships will be commissioned over the next 4–5 years, continuing the focus on self-reliance in defence production.

What is Defence Indigenisation?

1. Defence indigenisation means making defence equipment like warships, tanks, aircraft, and weapons within the country, instead of importing them.
2. It includes the development, design, and production of defence technologies by Indian companies, public and private.
3. Example: INS Vikrant – India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, developed by Cochin Shipyard.

Importance of Defence Indigenisation for India

1. National Security
   1. Reduces dependence on other countries during war or emergencies.
   2. Ensures critical weapons and systems are always available when needed.
2. Strategic Autonomy
   1. India can take independent decisions in defence matters.
   2. Avoids delays or pressure from foreign suppliers.
3. Economic Benefits
   1. Saves foreign exchange by cutting imports.
   2. Promotes Make in India, boosting local manufacturing and defence exports.
4. Job Creation and Skill Development
   1. Generates jobs for engineers, technicians, and workers.
   2. Develops advanced technical skills in the Indian workforce.
5. Technology Advancement
   1. Encourages R&D in cutting-edge technologies.
   2. Builds India’s long-term strength in defence and aerospace innovation.

Challenges

Way Forward

1. Technological DependenceMany critical systems like engines, radars, and sonar are still imported.

1. Invest in indigenous R&D and support defence tech startups to develop core technologies in-house.

2. Capacity Constraints in ShipyardsDelays due to infrastructure gaps and project inefficiencies.

2. Upgrade shipyard infrastructure and adopt modern project management tools for faster execution.

3. Design LimitationsAdvanced warship design capabilities are still evolving.

3. Strengthen the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and promote collaboration with top academic and tech institutions.

4. Skilled Workforce ShortageLimited availability of specialised engineers and technicians.

4. Launch skill development programs focused on naval architecture, engineering, and defence manufacturing.

5. Strategic Risks of Import DependenceHeavy reliance on foreign suppliers like Russia poses geopolitical vulnerabilities.

5. Encourage joint ventures and technology transfer under Make in India and reduce foreign dependency gradually.

6. Fragmented Industry EcosystemLack of strong integration between public and private sector players.

6. Build a robust public-private partnership (PPP) model and incentivise private sector participation in defence.

Ensure IAS Mains Question

Q. “The commissioning of INS Tamal marks a turning point in India’s naval indigenisation journey.”

Critically analyse the importance of defence indigenisation for India in the context of national security, economic development, and strategic autonomy. Also, discuss the challenges in achieving complete self-reliance and the way forward. (250 words)

Emsure IAS Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements about India’s naval indigenisation and INS Tamal:

1. INS Tamal is the first Talwar-class frigate to be fully designed and built in India.
2. INS Tamal has capabilities in all four key areas of naval warfare: air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic.
3. The Directorate of Naval Design (DND) was established before the Directorate of Indigenisation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: b

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: INS Tamal was built in Russia and INS Triput will be India’s first indigenously built Talwar-class frigate.

Statement 2 is correct: INS Tamal is capable in all four domains: air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic warfare.

Statement 3 is correct: The Directorate of Naval Design (DND) was set up in 1970, whereas the Directorate of Indigenisation came later in 2005.