The Indian Navy’s newest stealth frigate, INS Tamal, has wrapped up a productive port visit to Casablanca, Morocco from 6 to 9 August 2025. The stop formed part of its maiden voyage to India after commissioning in Russia on 1 July. Built under a collaborative programme with Russian shipyards, the Talwar-class vessel represents a significant addition to India’s naval arsenal, equipped with advanced stealth features, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, surface-to-air defences and sophisticated radar systems for operations in contested maritime environments.
By Jarryd Sinovich
The Casablanca stopover—marking the third visit by an Indian warship in the past two years—fits into a wider itinerary of calls at European and Asian ports to promote maritime diplomacy and deepen bilateral partnerships.
Strengthening Naval Ties
During the three-day stay the crew engaged in activities to foster closer ties with the Royal Moroccan Navy. These included ship tours, friendly sporting matches, yoga sessions, cultural exchanges and professional interactions. Officers also met with Moroccan leaders including Captain Rachid Sadrhazi (Commander, 1st Naval Base), Captain-Major Hasan Akouli (Central Maritime Sector), Brigadier General Jamal Kaztouf (Delegated Commander for Weapons, Casablanca) and Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin (Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy).
India’s Ambassador to Morocco His Excellency Shri Sanjay Rana boarded INS Tamal to meet crew and Moroccan counterparts, underscoring the strategic importance of India–Morocco relations beyond defence into trade, investment and cultural spheres.
Upon departure INS Tamal conducted a Passage Exercise with the Moroccan Navy’s frigate Mohammed VI, practicing manoeuvres, communications and tactical coordination—skills vital to joint or multinational operations.
Expanding African Outreach
The visit reflects India’s growing naval engagement across Africa. In January 2025 INS Tushil visited Lagos, Nigeria while INS Sumedha made a historic call to Lamu, Kenya in December 2023. In September 2022 INS Tarkash arrived in Lagos after a 133-day voyage across three oceans while India’s first trilateral naval exercise with Tanzania and Mozambique took place the same year.
Most recently the Africa–India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKME) exercise in April 2025 saw ten African navies train with Indian vessels off Tanzania, focusing on countering piracy, illegal fishing and regional maritime threats.
Balancing Regional Dynamics
India’s outreach is also viewed in the context of countering China’s expanding naval presence in Africa including its base in Djibouti and infrastructure investments across the continent. Indian officials have repeatedly warned that Beijing’s growth could threaten vital sea lines of communication. New Delhi’s approach instead emphasises partnership, capacity building and cooperative security—training African personnel, supplying patrol vessels and expanding joint exercises.
The port call by INS Tamal highlights this strategy, showcasing India’s intent to act as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean while strengthening partnerships built on trust and shared interests.
