During a significant commissioning ceremony in Kaliningrad, Russia, on December 9, 2024, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced a new chapter in India-Russia cooperation, emphasizing the potential collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence, cyber security, space exploration, and counter-terrorism. This announcement coincided with the formal induction of INS Tushil, a stealth guided missile frigate, into the Indian Navy.
Singh highlighted Russia’s crucial role in supporting India’s vision for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India), illustrating the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations. He pointed out that the indigenous manufacturing component in vessels like INS Tushil has been steadily rising, signifying a collaborative success between Indian and Russian industries. The Defence Minister characterized this development as a testament to India’s advancement towards technological self-sufficiency achieved through international partnership.
The commissioning ceremony featured a joint Guard of Honour, showcasing the camaraderie between the Indian Navy and Russia’s Baltic Fleet. Captain Peter Varghese, the commanding officer designate of INS Tushil, accepted the ceremonial ship’s baton from his Russian counterpart and formally read the Commissioning Warrant issued by the Chief of Naval Staff. The event culminated with the hoisting of the Indian Naval ensign.
INS Tushil represents an upgraded Krivak III class frigate from Project 1135.6, becoming the seventh vessel in a series that includes several operational ships already constructed, such as the Talwar and Teg class frigates. The ship was part of a bilateral agreement signed in October 2016, which entails the construction of four stealth frigates, two in Russia and two at Goa Shipyard Limited under a technology transfer arrangement. The additional second frigate, Tamal, is anticipated to be delivered in early 2025, despite prior delays caused by the COVID pandemic and geopolitical tensions stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Addressing the broader maritime strategy, Singh reaffirmed the Indian Navy’s commitment to ensuring peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). He noted that the Navy has successfully thwarted threats from piracy and smuggling while playing a crucial role in safeguarding maritime trade routes stretching from the Gulf of Oman to the Malacca Strait. Singh emphasized the Indian Navy’s readiness to respond to humanitarian crises and provide disaster relief in the region.
INS Tushil is designed for comprehensive naval warfare, featuring advanced operational capabilities in air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic domains. The vessel is armed with an array of state-of-the-art weaponry, including the jointly-developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, vertically-launched Shtil Surface-to-Air missiles, enhanced anti-air and surface guns, and anti-submarine weaponry, alongside sophisticated electronic warfare systems. It also has the capacity to deploy upgraded anti-submarine helicopters, ensuring versatility in various operational contexts.
The ship’s keel was laid on July 12, 2013, launched in October 2021, and successfully completed extensive trials before its delivery acceptance in late September 2024. According to the Navy, INS Tushil is set to arrive in India fully combat-ready, highlighting a significant milestone in enhancing India’s maritime defense capabilities.
