INS Tabar (F44), meaning 'Battle Axe', is the third of the Talwar-class guided-missile frigates — and arguably the most famous, having earned international acclaim for her decisive anti-piracy action in the Gulf of Aden in 2008. She was built at Baltiysky Zavod shipyard, St. Petersburg, Russia, and commissioned into the Indian Navy on 19 April 2004.

The Battle of the Gulf of Aden — November 2008

In November 2008, Somali piracy was at its peak, threatening international shipping lanes. INS Tabar was deployed to the Gulf of Aden as part of India's anti-piracy mission.

On 11 November 2008, Tabar received a distress call from the bulk carrier *MV Jag Arnav* (38,265 tonnes) that was under attack by pirates. The frigate raced to the scene. When a pirate vessel — reportedly a converted trawler carrying armed pirates and rocket-propelled grenades — refused to stop and opened fire, Tabar returned fire and sank the pirate vessel, rescuing the merchant crew.

This was one of the first confirmed combat engagements by the Indian Navy against pirates in modern times and was reported worldwide, earning Tabar international recognition as a symbol of India's commitment to maritime security.

A week later, on 18 November 2008, Tabar engaged another pirate vessel attempting to attack merchant shipping in the same region. The photo at this exhibit was taken during that very operation.

Armament

General Characteristics