Stealth frigate INS Tushil commissioned into Indian Navy in Russia

India and Russia deepen cooperation in AI, cyber security, space, and counter-terrorism with the commissioning of INS Tushil.

India and Russia will enter a new era of cooperation by taking advantage of each other’s expertise in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, cyber security, space exploration and counter-terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday (December 9, 2024) as stealth guided missile frigate INS Tushil was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Kaliningrad, Russia.

Mr. Singh termed Russia’s support to India’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as another important example of deep friendship between the two countries. “Made in India content is continuously increasing in many ships including INS Tushil. 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,” he said at the commissioning ceremony.

The commissioning ceremony commenced with a joint Guard of Honour presented by the personnel from the ship’s crew and Russia’s Baltic Fleet crew. The Commanding Officer designate of Tushil Captain Peter Varghese symbolically accepted a ceremonial ship’s baton from his Russian counterpart. He read out the Commissioning Warrant of the ship addressed to him by the Chief of the Naval Staff. The ship was commissioned with the hoisting of the ‘colours’ - the Indian Naval ensign.

INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate of the Project 1135.6 of which, six are already in service – three Talwar class ships, built at Baltiysky shipyard, St. Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships, built at Yantar shipyard, Kaliningrad. All Krivak frigates are powered by engines from Zorya Nashproekt of Ukraine.

INS Tushil, the seventh in the series, is the first of the two additional follow-on ships under construction in Russia. In October 2016, India and Russia signed a deal for four stealth frigates, two to be built in Russia and two to be constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited under technology transfer. The second frigate Tamal is expected to be delivered to Indian Navy in Russia in the first quarter of next year. The construction saw repeated delays initially due to COVID and then the war in Ukraine.

The Defence Minister reiterated Indian Navy’s commitment to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). “Our Navy has foiled the designs of piracy, arms and drug smugglers and non-state actors in various hotspots. From the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden, from Suez to Malacca & from Australia to Madagascar, the Indian Navy is playing the essential role of a net security provider in IOR. India, along with its friendly countries, believes in ensuring that maritime trade in the region remains safe and secure, thereby promoting unhindered trade across the sea.”

As a first responder, the Indian Navy is always prepared to provide quick and timely humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its friends in the region, Mr. Singh added.