Tavasya: Final Krivak-Class Stealth Frigate

1. India has launched ‘Tavasya’, the last of four Krivak-class stealth frigates.
2. The launch took place at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), underlining India’s progress in indigenous warship construction and the gradual shift away from foreign-licensed defense platforms.

What are Stealth Frigates? A frigate is a medium-sized warship used by the Navy for escorting larger vessels, patrolling, and combat operations. A "stealth frigate" is designed with advanced stealth technology to minimise its radar cross-section and overall visibility to enemy detection systems, making it harder to detect by radar, visual, sonar, and infrared methods.

Background: Krivak-class frigates

1. Krivak-class frigates are a series of multi-role warships originally designed by Russia. 
2. India operates its variant called the Talwar-class frigates, customised for the Indian Navy. 
3. In 2016, India signed an agreement with Russia for the acquisition of four additional Krivak-class (Project 1135.6) frigates. As per the agreement:

1. Two frigates were to be imported from Russia.
2. Two frigates were to be built in India at GSL under a technology transfer arrangement.

Progress So Far

1. Russian-Built Frigates

1. Tushil: The first frigate built in Russia, commissioned in December 2024.
2. Tamal: The second Russian-built frigate, currently undergoing trials and scheduled for commissioning in June 2025.

2. Indian-Built Frigates

1. Triput: The first Indian-made Krivak-class frigate, launched in July 2024, expected to be delivered in 2026.
2. Tavasya: The second Indian-built frigate, launched recently, and set to be delivered by 2027.

About INS Tavasya

1. Tavasya is the second frigate built under the Project 1135.6 Additional Follow-on Ships initiative.
2. It was launched at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
3. The name ‘Tavasya’ is inspired by Bhima’s mace from Indian mythology, symbolizing naval strength and power.
4. It is designed for multi-domain warfare, capable of performing: Surface combat, Sub-surface (underwater) operations and Air defense missions.