Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commission the Navy’s latest multi-role, stealth-guided missile frigate, INS Tushil, at Kaliningrad in Russia on December 9, officials said on Friday.
Singh, accompanied by top defence and civilian officials from India and Russia, will preside over the commissioning of the warship, an upgraded Krivak III-class frigate developed under Project 1135.6 of the Indian Navy.
This will be the seventh frigate in the series and the first of two upgraded follow-on ships commissioned under a contract signed between the Government of India, the Indian Navy, and JSC Rosoboronexport in Moscow in October 2016.
India already operates six frigates in this class—three Talwar-class ships built at the Baltiysky Shipyard in St. Petersburg and three Teg-class ships constructed at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad.
The construction of INS Tushil was closely monitored by India’s Warship Overseeing Team stationed in Kaliningrad, working in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Moscow.
The 125-metre-long frigate, weighing 3,900 tonnes, incorporates cutting-edge Russian and Indian technologies, representing an impressive blend of innovation and best practices in warship construction, according to officials.
Following its completion in January 2024, the ship underwent rigorous trials, including factory sea trials, state committee trials, and final delivery acceptance trials conducted by a specialized Indian team. These trials, which tested the frigate’s systems and weaponry, confirmed its enhanced stealth features, stability, and combat readiness.
During sea trials, the frigate demonstrated an impressive speed of over 30 knots (55 km/h). It will soon sail to India in near-combat-ready condition, ready to serve whenever required.
The name Tushil translates to “protector shield,” and its crest symbolizes the ‘Abhedya Kavacham’ (Impenetrable Shield). Alongside its motto—Nirbhay, Abhedya aur Balsheel (Fearless, Indomitable, Resolute)—the frigate reflects the Indian Navy’s dedication to safeguarding the nation’s maritime frontiers.
The ship features an indigenous content of 26%, a significant enhancement over earlier models, with the number of Indian-made systems doubling to 33. Collaborators include BrahMos Aerospace, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems (Tata), Elcome Marine, and Johnson Controls India, among others.
Upon commissioning, INS Tushil will join the Western Fleet, the “Sword Arm” of the Indian Navy, under the Western Naval Command, ranking among the most technologically advanced frigates in the world.
(Inputs from IANS)