In a significant boost to India’s naval capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commission the latest addition to the Indian Navy, the multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate ‘INS Tushil,’ at the Yantra Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. The commissioning ceremony is scheduled for Monday and will also see the participation of Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, the Chief of the Indian Navy, along with other senior defence and civilian officials from both India and Russia.
‘INS Tushil’ represents an upgrade to the Krivak III Class frigate under Project 1135.6 and will be the seventh ship in its class, following six others already in service. These include three Talwar Class ships built in St. Petersburg and three Teg Class vessels constructed in Kaliningrad. The Indian government signed a contract for this advanced frigate with JSC Rosoboronexport in October 2016, amidst growing defence cooperation between India and Russia.
During his official visit to Russia from December 8-10, Rajnath Singh is expected to engage with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, to co-chair the 21st meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M& MTC). This meeting will be pivotal in reviewing the extensive military relations and cooperation between the two nations, focusing on industrial collaboration and addressing current global and regional security challenges.
In addition to the commissioning of ‘INS Tushil,’ Singh plans to pay homage at the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow, commemorating the Soviet soldiers who lost their lives during World War II. The visit also includes interactions with members of the Indian community in Russia.
INS Tushil, measuring 125 meters in length and weighing 3,900 tonnes, boasts a formidable blend of advanced Russian and Indian technologies, demonstrating the best practices in modern warship construction. Its construction has been meticulously overseen by India’s Warship Overseeing Team, ensuring quality and alignment with Indian naval standards.
The vessel has undergone rigorous testing, including factory sea trials, state committee trials, and delivery acceptance trials conducted by a specialized Indian team. Impressively, during these trials, it achieved speeds exceeding 30 knots (approximately 55 km/h) and is expected to arrive in India in a near-combat-ready state.
The name ‘Tushil’ translates to ‘protector shield,’ and its crest symbolizes the ‘Abhedya Kavacham’ or ‘Impenetrable Shield,’ embodying the Indian Navy’s enduring commitment to safeguarding maritime security. The frigate’s motto, ‘Nirbhay, Abhedya aur Balsheel’ — which means ‘Fearless, Indomitable, Resolute’ — further emphasizes this dedication.
A noteworthy enhancement in the frigate’s design is the increase in indigenous content to 26%, with the number of systems manufactured in India more than doubling to 33. Leading companies such as BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, Elcome Marine, Johnson Controls India, and others played significant roles in equipping the vessel.
Upon its commissioning, ‘INS Tushil’ will become a vital asset within the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Indian Navy, reinforcing the capabilities of the Western Fleet under the Western Naval Command.
