Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tabar was part of the mobile column reviewed by Russian President Putin

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh on Sunday attended the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy in St Petersburg. This occasion that was graced by Russian President Vladimir Putin also saw the participation of Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tabar.

An official statement said that the Indian Naval Chief along with India’s Ambassador to Russia, D B Venkatesh Varma attended the main naval parade of the Russian Navy.

INS Tabar was part of the mobile column reviewed by President Putin.

“325th Anniversary of the #RussianNavy. Adm Karambir Singh #CNS & Ambassador @IndEmbMoscow at the Main Naval Parade #StPetersburg. #IndianNavy's stealth frigate #INSTabar is part of the mobile column being reviewed by @KremlinRussia_E Vladimir Putin. #BridgesofFriendship,” a twitter post by the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy said.

Earlier, commemorating the special bilateral relations between Russia and India that span several decades, Indian Naval Ship Tabar arrived at St Petersburg on Thursday as part of a five-day goodwill visit to Russia.

Besides being part of the mobile column being reviewed by the Russian President, the Indian Naval Band embarked on Tabar also participated in the City Parade during the celebrations.

In addition, during her stay at St Petersburg, the crew of Tabar will participate in various bilateral professional interactions with the Russian Navy.

Following the interactions, INS will conduct bilateral naval exercises at sea with the Russian navy.

This will be part of the established series of naval exercises between the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy titled exercise INDRA.

The harbour interactions and the exercise at sea aim to consolidate the long standing ties between the two navies.

These engagements seek to further enhance maritime security and conduct combined operations against maritime threats.

These interactions will also offer an opportunity for both sides to observe and imbibe the 'Best Practices' followed in each other's Navy.

INS Tabar is on a four month deployment across Africa and Europe to participate in joint exercises with friendly navies and enhancing military cooperation through naval engagements.

During its deployment, that begun last month, the Indian Naval Ship has already called on ports in Egypt, Italy, Spain and France and has conducted naval exercises with the navies of these countries.

INS Tabar is a Talwar-class stealth frigate and forms part of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet which is based at Mumbai under the Western Naval Command. Incidentally, the ship was built for the Indian Navy in Russia and was commissioned at St Petersburg in April 2004.

The ship is presently commanded by Captain Mahesh Mangipudi and has a complement of over 300 personnel. It is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors and is among the earliest stealth frigates of the Indian Navy.