The Indian Navy is preparing to induct the multi-role stealth guided missile frigate Tushil, which means ‘shield’ in Sanskrit, during a commissioning ceremony set to take place in Kaliningrad, Russia, on December 9. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will oversee this significant event, marking another step in India’s defense collaboration with Russia.
In 2016, India signed an inter-governmental agreement with Russia to acquire four frigates, of which two are to be constructed in Russia and two at the Goa Shipyard in India, with the latter benefitting from technical collaboration with Russian manufacturers. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has contributed to delays in the ship’s delivery, impacting the overall schedule of the project.
Tushil forms part of a broader $2.5 billion defense deal and will be integrated into the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, colloquially known as the Sword Arm. The second frigate in this series, named Tamal, is anticipated for delivery by early next year. According to reports from the defence ministry, Tushil measures 125 meters in length and weighs approximately 3,900 tonnes.
Significantly, the design and construction of Tushil involved collaboration between Indian naval specialists and the Severnoye Design Bureau, a Russian ship design firm. This partnership has resulted in an increase in indigenous content for the ship, which now stands at 26 percent. A total of 33 systems manufactured in India have been integrated into the vessel, bolstering India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Key Indian original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) contributing to this effort include BrahMos Aerospace Private, Bharat Electronics, Keltron, Tata’s Nova Integrated Systems, Elcome Marine, and Johnson Controls India, among others.
Tushil is classified as an upgraded Krivak III class frigate, part of Project 1135.6; six of these frigates are currently operational within the Indian Navy. The construction of Tushil was closely supervised by an Indian team from the Warship Overseeing Team stationed in Kaliningrad, working under the auspices of the Indian Embassy in Moscow. This oversight was crucial in ensuring quality and adherence to specifications.
Post-construction, Tushil underwent comprehensive testing starting in January of this year, with Indian specialists assessing the performance of all onboard Russian equipment, including weaponry. Notably, during trials, the frigate achieved speeds exceeding 30 knots, demonstrating its advanced capabilities.
As the Indian Navy prepares to celebrate the induction of Tushil, it emphasizes the strengthening of defense ties with Russia and showcases India’s growing prowess in indigenous naval technology and construction.
