INS Tarkash joins Western Fleet at Mumbai

INS Tarkash entering Mumbai Harbour

The Indian Navy got a major fillip to its firepower with the arrival of its latest acquisition INS Tarkash at Mumbai on 27 Dec 12. Built by the Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia. INS Tarkash was commissioned on 09 Nov 12 by Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Comand. INS Tarkash is second of three project 1135.6 (follow-on Talwar class) ships ordered by Indian Navy, the first being INS Teg, which joined the Fleet in June this year. Trikhand, the third stealth frigate, is likely to be delivered by mid 2013.

Commanded by Captain Antony George, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Specialist, and manned by a crew of 23 Officers and 228 Sailors, INS Tarkash is armed with an advanced combat suite, comprising an optimal blend of Russian and Indian cutting edge technologies. Her arsenal includes the ‘BRAHMOS’ Supersonic Cruise Missiles, Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System, Medium Range Gun, Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), Torpedoes and Anti-Submarine Rockets.

On arrival at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, the ship and her crew were accorded a warm reception. The welcome ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral A R Karve, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet and witnessed by senior Officers of the Western Naval Command, together with the family members of the ship’s crew who turned out in large numbers.

During her maiden return passage, as part of the Navy’s Maritime Diplomatic Initiative, the ship made port calls at several ports to strengthen bridges of friendship and international co-operation with the host countries.