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INS Talwar (F40)

2003 MODERN NAVY

History

The Indian Navy has historically been influenced by Western and Soviet doctrine and warship designs. Her modern navy's Talwa-class frigates are more of the latter, as these ships are built in Russia using existing Soviet-era designs. The group's first ship, INS Talwar, was ordered on 17 November 1997 and laid by the construction company Baltiysky Zavod on 10 March 1999.

She was launched on May 12, 2000, and officially commissioned on June 18, 2003. [ /p]

The Talwar class ("Talwar" means "sword") is a group of six ships classified as "missile frigates". Her design was largely based on the Soviet Kriwak III-class frigate, which inherited the outgoing Riga class, and whose design origins date back to the 1950s. The development of this group has been good as the designs have stood the test of time over the decades. Today, the Talwa-class remains a modern surface combatant with capabilities suitable for wartime use. INS Talwar (F40) joins her sisters INS Trishul (F43), INS Tabar (F44); INS-Teg (F45); INS Tarkash (F50) and INS Trikand (F51).

All of them are still in service as of 2015, the last one (Trikander) only entered service in June 2013.

At the heart of the INS Talwar is a missile-focused suite (a product of the natural evolution of conventionally armed frigates in terms of naval history) designed to address air, sea and underwater threats. Additionally, she has an inherent ability to attack offshore.

Its primary armament consists of 24 medium-range Shtil-1 series missiles supported by 8 short-range Igla-1E (SA-16) air-to-air missiles. She carries the Klub Vertical Launch System (VLS) to attack surface and inland targets via anti-ship (AS) and cruise missile strikes. Her more conventional weapons include 1 x 100mm A-190E deck gun and 2 x Kashtan Close-In Weapon System (CIWS).

For anti-submarine service (ASW), she carried 2 x 533 mm torpedo tubes and RBU-6000 (RPK-8) rocket launchers.

However, their success at sea did not depend only on their armament. Talwar has an array of sensors and processing systems to get the job done. This includes multiple radar systems for surface search, tracking and combat.

Inertial navigation and stabilization kits are also part of their installation. The Fregat M2EM 3D circular scanning radar adaptation further enhances the aerial surface search capabilities. BEL APSOH is used as an on-board sonar system built into the hull.

In addition to the installed weapons and technical components, the Talwar class has an aft flight deck for receiving and launching Kamov Ka-28 "Helix-A" naval helicopters (or similar) rotorcraft. She is also able to operate HAL Dhruv series helicopters in a similar manner.

These units can resupply ships at sea or perform anti-submarine or anti-ship roles as needed.

As planned, the Talwar displaces 3,620 tonnes under standard load and 4,035 tonnes under full load. Her dimensions include a length of 409 feet, a beam of 50 feet, and a draft of 15 feet. Power is provided by 2 DS-71 turbines with 9,000 hp for cruising and 2 DT-59 supercharged turbines for sprint action (19,500 hp).

Top speed in ideal conditions is 30 knots and range is up to 4,850 miles. Your crew strength is only 180 employees.

The cutaway of the Talwar shows a rather long forecastle, which initiates the midship bridge structure. This allows her four main weapon systems to be mounted forward of the bridge, including deck guns and turrets, surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, surface-to-surface missile (SSM) launchers and RBU-6000 missile launchers to suit. Midship, on the sides of the superstructure support plates, there are few crew rails. A fully enclosed mast is located on the bridge, and a pyramid-shaped main mast is located at the stern.

A sloping lattice mast is then attached to the rear edge of the bridge roof. As is the case with modern warships today, the Talwar's smoke funnel has a flat design, and the platform attached to the structure supports the forward dome fire control radar installation. The rear of the superstructure is equipped with a full-service pylon to support helicopter and drone operations. Two other SAM systems can be seen in this area (port and starboard).

The flight deck then takes over the rear of the profile.

INS Talwar completed her assessment and sea trials in June 2002, which required work on several of the vessels on display. The vessel was commissioned in Russian waters in June 2003. Since moving to Indian waters, the ship has been deployed mainly in the Indian Ocean. In one incident in May 2006, the crew loosened the anchor against the submarine's sonar dome system, forcing repairs.

Several joint exercises with NATO members are also part of Talwar's history. In 2009, the ship used its capabilities against Somali pirates harassing supplies in the war-torn country. Her last notable entry was a collision with a trawler off the coast of Ratnagiri in December 2013.

The trawler sank in the accident.

As she is relatively new, INS Talwar is expected to remain an active member of the Indian Navy for some time to come. The country is currently building several new warships, including a homegrown aircraft carrier, which will help further enhance its capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.

As the country always seeks to stay one step ahead of its neighbor Pakistan, India's military sector devotes a lot of attention and money - including its maritime power, which remains one of the most powerful in this part of the world.