In a significant development for the Indian Navy, the Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tushil was officially commissioned in a ceremony held in Kaliningrad, Russia. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, along with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and other senior officials from India, attended the event that highlighted the growing military collaboration between India and Russia.
INS Tushil is poised to enhance India’s operational capabilities in the strategically vital Indian Ocean, a region that has seen an increase in activities by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy in recent years. The commissioning of the ship is viewed as a critical step towards strengthening India’s maritime defense posture.
This warship forms part of a broader agreement worth over USD 2.5 billion, signed by New Delhi with Moscow in 2016, which involves the construction of four stealth frigates tailored for the Indian Navy. Under the terms of the deal, two frigates are being built in Russia, while the remaining two vessels will be manufactured in India.
During the commissioning ceremony, Minister Singh emphasized that this development represents a proud moment for India’s maritime aspirations and a noteworthy milestone in the enduring bilateral relations with Russia. He remarked, “The ship is a big proof of the collaborative prowess of Russian and Indian industries. It exemplifies India’s journey towards technological excellence through jointmanship.” Singh also indicated that India and Russia are set to embark on a “new era” of cooperation, particularly in domains such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, space exploration, and counter-terrorism.
The construction of INS Tushil has been closely overseen by a dedicated team of Indian specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team stationed in Kaliningrad. The ship, weighing 3,900 tonnes and measuring 125 meters in length, embodies a powerful blend of advanced Russian and Indian technologies. Officials have pointed out that the ship is designed with improved stealth features and enhanced stability characteristics.
A notable aspect of INS Tushil is its increased indigenous component, with Indian contributions to its construction reaching an impressive 26 percent, thanks to collaboration between Indian naval specialists and the Severnoye Design Bureau. Major Indian defense companies involved in the project include BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, and Elcome Marine, among others.
INS Tushil is classified as an upgraded Krivak III class frigate under Project 1135.6, symbolizing years of hard work and dedication by countless shipyard workers and various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from both Russia and India. This milestone underscores the deepening defense ties between the two nations and marks a key enhancement in India’s naval capabilities.
