The multi-role stealth guided missile frigate INS Tushil will be formally commissioned by the Indian Navy at Kaliningrad, Russia, on December 9, 2024. The occasion marks an important turning point in the long-standing defense relations between Russia and India, and India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend it as the principal guest. The commissioning event highlights the strategic significance of this alliance, especially in the area of naval defense. It is planned before Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit India in early 2025.
As a component of the Russian-designed Project 1135.6, INS Tushil is the most recent in a line of improved Krivak III-class frigates. Six vessels of this class, comprising three Talwar-class frigates and three Teg-class follow-ons, are now in service with the Indian Navy. They were all constructed at Russian shipyards in Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg. The seventh ship in this class, INS Tushil, is the first of two modified frigates in a 2016 agreement between the Russian defense industry, JSC Rosoboronexport, and the Indian government.
With its sophisticated stealth characteristics, INS Tushil, which is 125 meters long and weighs 3,900 tons, is less detectable by enemy radar and more stable in various maritime situations. Russian shipbuilders and Indian navy experts worked closely together to create the ship’s design, which emphasizes integrating cutting-edge technology and improving the ship’s overall performance.
The enhanced indigenous content of INS Tushil is one of its most notable aspects; this marks a significant turning point in India’s drive for greater independence in defense manufacturing. With more than 33 systems created by Indian businesses, the ship uses 26% indigenous technology. Major Indian defense firms have contributed, including BrahMos Aerospace, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems, and others. In addition to improving the ship’s operating capabilities, this integration of Indian-made technology shows how the Russian and Indian defense sectors are becoming more cooperative.
INS Tushil has undergone extensive testing since it was built to guarantee that it is prepared for active service. These tests started in early 2024 and included acceptance trials for final deliveries, state committee trials, and factory sea trials. The ship successfully tested all of its vital systems, including its weapons, and showed remarkable speed capabilities during these tests, surpassing 30 knots. The ship will be sent to the Indian Navy in almost combat-ready condition when these trials are over, ready to join the fleet and support India’s maritime defense policy.
With its name meaning “protector shield,” INS Tushil is a potent representation of India’s dedication to defending its maritime frontiers. The ship’s motto, “Nirbhay, Abhedya aur Balsheel” (Fearless, Indomitable, Resolute), and its crest, which depicts a “Abhedya Kavacham” (impenetrable shield), embody the ship’s mission in providing strong defense and guaranteeing security in the Indian Ocean Region.
The ship will join the Indian Navy’s “Sword Arm” and be deployed to the Western Fleet under the Western Naval Command. Its cutting-edge capabilities will strengthen India’s defense posture by enabling it to perform various tasks, from maritime patrol and reconnaissance to anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. The commissioning of the frigate also strengthens India’s capacity to project force and uphold security in the strategically significant Indian Ocean. This area is essential to international trade and maritime stability.
In addition to being a significant milestone for the Indian Navy, the commissioning of INS Tushil reflects the strengthening defense alliance between Russia and India. The two nations have worked together on several defense projects throughout the years, and the successful completion of INS Tushil enhances their partnership even further. It also emphasizes how India’s defense industry is becoming more technologically advanced, especially in the area of naval shipbuilding.
India’s naval capabilities have significantly improved with the addition of INS Tushil to the Indian Navy. The frigate is expected to play a significant role in India’s strategic defense infrastructure because of its cutting-edge technology, improved Indigenous content, and stringent testing. A monument to the expanding alliance between Russia and India, INS Tushil joins the ranks of the Indian Navy’s most sophisticated vessels, highlighting both nations’ dedication to regional security and defense cooperation.
