The Indian Navy is poised to enhance its maritime capabilities with the commissioning of its latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, INS Tushil, set to take place on December 9. The ceremony, taking place in Kaliningrad, Russia, will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior officials from both Russian and Indian governmental and defense sectors.
INS Tushil is part of the upgraded Krivak III class frigates built under Project 1135.6, and is distinguished as the seventh ship in this class. The contract for its construction was signed in October 2016 between JSC Rosoboronexport and the Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Government of India. With a length of 125 meters and a weight of 3,900 tonnes, the frigate features advanced stealth capabilities that enhance its operational effectiveness.
The design and construction processes for INS Tushil have seen a notable increase in indigenous contributions, rising to 26 percent of the total ship. The involvement of Indian naval specialists alongside the expertise from Russia’s Severnoye Design Bureau has resulted in the incorporation of 33 Indian-made systems—a significant leap from previous iterations.
With state-of-the-art technology at its core, INS Tushil is tailored for diverse operations, equipped with sophisticated surveillance and combat systems to target both aerial and naval threats. This positions the vessel as not only a formidable surface combatant but also capable of executing critical anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions. Following its construction, the ship went through rigorous trials beginning in January 2024, verifying the functionality of all Russian equipment, including advanced weapon systems, achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots.
The name INS Tushil translates to ‘the protector shield,’ with its crest prominently displaying the emblem ‘Abhedya Kavacham’ or ‘impenetrable shield,’ signifying its core mission to defend and protect. Its motto, ‘Nirbhay, Abhedya aur Balsheel,’ encapsulates its design ethos—fearless, indomitable, and resolute.
Significant contributions to the construction and outfitting of INS Tushil have come from major Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, Elcome Marine, and Johnson Controls India.
Upon commissioning, INS Tushil will integrate into the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, a component of the ‘Sword Arm’ under the Western Naval Command. It is expected to stand among the most advanced frigates globally, representative of cutting-edge naval technology.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Russia from December 8 to 10 is strategically aligned with the commissioning ceremony of INS Tushil. During his visit, Singh will co-chair the 21st meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov. Key discussions will pertain to a review of military cooperation, alongside dialogues concerning pressing global and regional issues. The Defence Minister will also honor the memory of Soviet soldiers at the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow and connect with the Indian community residing in Russia.
