Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commence a significant three-day official visit to Russia, beginning Monday, during which he will attend a crucial military meeting and preside over the commissioning of India’s latest naval asset, the multi-role stealth guided missile frigate Tushil. This visit underscores the ongoing bilateral military cooperation between India and Russia, according to officials familiar with the details.
Singh is expected to arrive in Moscow late Sunday night, ahead of a schedule packed with important military discussions. The minister will commission the frigate at the Yantar shipyard located in Kaliningrad. Notably, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is already in Russia to participate in the commissioning ceremony.
The Tushil, an upgraded version of the Krivak III class frigate under Project 1135.6, represents a significant advancement in India’s naval capabilities. This particular class has become a cornerstone of India’s maritime defense strategy, with six such vessels already in service, including three Talwar class ships manufactured at a shipyard in St. Petersburg and three Teg class ships built at the Yantar shipyard. Tushil is part of a broader agreement worth over $2.5 billion between India and Russia, which includes the construction of four additional Krivak/Talwar class stealth frigates for the Indian Navy. Of these, two frigates are under construction at the Yantar shipyard while the remaining two will be produced at Goa Shipyard Limited, supported by technology transfer from Russia. The next frigate from this deal, named Tamal, is anticipated to join the Indian Navy by mid-2025.
On December 10, Singh will engage in the 21st meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&TMC), which he will co-chair with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, in Moscow. This meeting will serve as a platform for both leaders to review the extensive range of military-related cooperation between the two nations, including discussions on military exchanges and industrial collaboration. They will also address contemporary regional and global issues that are of mutual concern, as outlined by the defence ministry in a recent statement.
It is important to note that the ongoing geopolitical tensions, primarily due to sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and its allies in the wake of the Ukraine war, have created delays in certain military projects. These sanctions have also raised concerns regarding the procurement of spare parts for existing Russian military equipment and the maintenance of older systems.
In addition to military engagements, Singh plans to pay tribute at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, honoring the sacrifices made by Soviet soldiers during the Second World War. Engaging with the Indian community in Russia is also a key aspect of his official itinerary.
