**Policy Summary:**
On August 19, 2025, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tamal, a stealth frigate, arrived at Souda Bay, Greece, during its return passage to India following commissioning in Russia. The port call is designed to foster Indo-Greek bilateral relations through a series of professional and cultural activities. These engagements include discussions with senior Hellenic Navy officials, familiarization with operations and procedures at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre in Souda Bay, and tours of NATO and Hellenic Navy facilities, concluding with a passage exercise upon departure. The ship's crew will also pay respects to fallen Greek citizens and uniformed personnel, including Indian soldiers who served in the British Indian Army during World War II. Cultural exchanges will involve visits to Cretan maritime museums and interactions with the local Indian diaspora to strengthen people-to-people connections. This visit follows a port call by the Hellenic Navy Ship Psara in Mumbai from July 11-13, 2025. The INS Tamal's visit underscores India's commitment to its relationship with Greece and aims to strengthen growing defense cooperation and friendly ties between the two nations. The initiative will provide a platform for both navies to exchange best practices and explore new avenues for collaboration. The Ministry of Defence released this information on August 21, 2025, at 6:26 PM by PIB Delhi, Release ID: 2159339.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry responsible for defence.
INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TAMAL: A stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
Souda Bay, Greece: A bay and location in Greece where the Indian Naval Ship Tamal arrived.
Russia: Country where INS Tamal was commissioned before its return passage to India.
IndoGreek: Relating to India and Greece.
Hellenic Navy: The naval force of Greece.
NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre: A training center located in Souda Bay.
British Indian Army: The army of British India.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TAMAL ARRIVED AT SOUDA
BAY, GREECE
Posted On: 21 AUG 2025 6:26PM by PIB Delhi
INS Tamal, the latest stealth frigate, arrived at Souda Bay, Greece, on 19 Aug 2025 during her return passage
to India post commissioning in Russia.
The engagements during the port call include a range of professional and cultural activities focused on
fostering Indo-Greek bilateral relations, such as discussions with senior Hellenic Navy functionaries,
familiarisation of operations and procedures at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre
in Souda Bay, and a walk around of NATO and Hellenic Navy facilities, culminating in a passage exercise on
departure.
The ship’s crew will also pay homage to the fallen citizens of Greece and uniformed personnel including
Indian soldiers who fought as part of the British Indian Army during World War II. They will also undertake
cultural exchanges by way of visits to maritime museums of Crete and interaction with local diaspora to
further people-to-people bonds.
The Indian and Hellenic Navies have engaged with each other on multiple fronts including training courses,
passage exercises, port calls of warships and delegation-level military visits. Recently, Hellenic Navy Ship
Psara, a MEKO 200 class frigate, called at Mumbai from 11 - 13 Jul 2025.
The visit is indicative of the importance India attaches to its relations with Greece and the endeavour to
strengthen the growing defence cooperation and friendly ties between the nations. It will also provide an
opportunity for both navies to share Best Practices and explore new avenues of cooperation.______________________________________________________________
VM/SPS 163/25
(Release ID: 2159339)