INS Tabar during the 12th India-Russia joint naval exercise “INDRANAVY”, in July 2021. (Photo: Indian Navy)
New Delhi: Indian Navy’s Talwar-class multi-role stealth frigate INS Tabar reached St Petersburg, on Saturday, and took part in Russia’s Main Navy Day celebrations, on Sunday. The Navy said the frontline warship’s visit to Russia further strengthens the maritime cooperation between India and Russia and underpinned by the interoperability between the navies of the two countries.
This visit further strengthens #maritime cooperation b/n the two nations, underpinned by the #interoperability b/n the navies & is aligned to GoI’s policy of #VasudhaivaKutumbakam#MaritimeFriendship@IN_WesternFleet
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 28, 2024
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, greeted INS Tabar and its crew on the Neva river during the event, which marked the 328th anniversary of the Russian Navy. The Indian warship was among the fleet reviewed by Putin. The other foreign warships that participated in the parade on the Neva river included the Algerian Navy’s training ship Soummam and the China’s People’s Liberation Army – Navy’s guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo.
Russia fielded 20 surface ships and gunboats, four sailing vessels, and a submarine for the parade.
This wasn’t INS Tabar’s first visit to Russia. It had previously participated in Russia’s Main Naval Parade held on July 25, 2021, which marked the 325th anniversary of the country’s navy.
It may be mentioned that the advanced Talwar-class frigate INS Tabar was built in St Petersburg’s Baltic Shipyard and commissioned into the Indian Navy, on April 19, 2004, in Russia’s Kaliningrad with Captain Biswajit Dasgupta as its commander. It has a top speed of over 30 knots (over 55 kilometres per hour) and is designed for a range of combat operations against surface vessels, submarines, and aerial targets.
Currently commanded by Captain MR Harish, the INS Tabar carries a crew of 280 officers and sailors. Before arriving in Russia’s St Petersburg, the warship made a port call in Germany’s Hamburg, on Wednesday, where the frigate anchored for three days and engaged in professional exchanges with the country’s navy and allowed the public to come on board.
