Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Visit Russia for INS Tushil Commissioning
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to travel to Russia in early December to commission the INS Tushil, a state-of-the-art stealth frigate, and engage in discussions with his Russian counterpart. This visit was initially scheduled for November but was rescheduled at Moscow’s request, further emphasizing the ongoing cooperation between India and Russia amidst various global challenges.
INS Tushil is a significant addition to the Indian Navy and is the first of two advanced stealth frigates being constructed at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad. This initiative comes under a $2.5 billion contract signed in 2016 and finalized in 2018, following the precedent set by the Talwar-class vessels. The deal involves the construction of two frigates in Russia and two at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in India, facilitated by Russian technical collaboration.
The commissioning of INS Tushil is a crucial step towards modernizing the Indian Navy. Built on the design of the Russian Krivak III-class, these new frigates offer advanced capabilities over their Talwar-class predecessors, featuring improved stealth technology, upgraded sensors, and the ability to deploy sophisticated weaponry. Notably, INS Tushil will be equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, developed through an Indo-Russian joint venture, which will replace the older 3M-54E Klub-N anti-ship missiles, substantially enhancing India’s offensive capabilities.
Despite facing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, payment complications between the two nations, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, INS Tushil is now in the final phases of preparation. Currently, around 200 Indian Navy personnel are stationed in Russia to oversee the installation process and conduct acceptance trials. These trials are expected to be wrapped up by mid-September, thereby facilitating the formal handover of the vessel, with the second frigate, INS Tamal, anticipated to be delivered by early next year.
An interesting aspect of this project is that the frigates will be powered by M90FR gas turbines, procured directly from Ukraine and manufactured by Zorya-Mashproekt. This procurement highlights India’s commitment to advancing its defense technology capabilities despite navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, with the engines set to be fitted onto the frigates at GSL.
During his upcoming visit, Defence Minister Singh will also take the opportunity to review the broader defense partnership between India and Russia, placing particular emphasis on maintaining the timely delivery of crucial defense systems, including addressing delays in the S-400 missile systems delivery. The visit marks a pivotal moment in India-Russia defense relations as both nations continue to navigate global challenges while enhancing their military capabilities.
