INS Tamal, the Indian Navy’s newest stealth frigate, concluded a high-level port call at Souda Bay, Greece, from 19 to 22 August 2025, as part of her passage to her home base in India. The visit featured a series of strategic engagements with the Hellenic Navy and NATO officials, reinforcing India’s commitment to maritime cooperation and defence diplomacy.
The Commanding Officer of INS Tamal held formal meetings with Commodore Dionysios Mantadakis, Base Commander of Souda Bay Naval Base, Captain Kouplakis Iiias, Head of the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre, and Captain Stephen Steacy, Commanding Officer of the US Navy’s Naval Support Activity. Discussions focused on operational coordination and future avenues for joint maritime initiatives.
A cross-deck visit was conducted aboard ITS Trieste, the Italian Navy’s multi-role amphibious assault unit, offering INS Tamal’s crew exposure to advanced naval platforms and interoperability practices. India’s Ambassador to Greece, Rudrendra Tandon, visited the ship on 20 August and interacted with the crew, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the port call.
During the visit, the crew toured key facilities including the Souda Naval Base, the Armament facility, the NATO training centre, and the local maritime museum. A solemn tribute was paid at the World War II cemetery in Crete, reflecting the shared legacy of naval service and sacrifice.
On departure, INS Tamal conducted a Passage Exercise with HS Ritsos, a Roussen-class patrol boat of the Hellenic Navy, validating operational interoperability and tactical coordination between the two navies.
The port call exemplifies India’s strategic outreach to Greece and its broader effort to deepen defence partnerships across regions. INS Tamal will continue her voyage with scheduled visits to friendly ports in Asia, advancing maritime diplomacy and reinforcing bilateral ties.
