New Delhi: INS Tushil, India’s latest stealth missile frigate, is set to reach the country’s western coast by mid-February, according to officials familiar with the development. The warship, commissioned into the Indian Navy at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard on December 9, will join the Mumbai-based Western Fleet.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, present at the commissioning ceremony in Kaliningrad, hailed INS Tushil as a “proud testament” to India’s growing maritime strength and a “significant milestone” in the enduring partnership between India and Russia.
Strengthening Global Maritime Cooperation
As part of its journey to India, INS Tushil made a stop at Casablanca, Morocco, on December 27, symbolizing India’s efforts to deepen naval ties with Morocco. Additionally, the warship will undertake anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Guinea along the West African coast before reaching Indian shores.
INS Tushil (F70) 2nd port call at Casablanca, Morocco en route to India 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/WGG7MkNl0P
— News IADN (@NewsIADN) December 29, 2024
India has been actively bolstering maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. In October 2023, India and the European Union conducted their inaugural naval exercises in the region to counter piracy and enhance maritime cooperation. These drills saw participation from INS Sumedha and naval forces from Italy, Spain, and France.
Advanced Features of INS Tushil
INS Tushil, an upgraded Krivak III-class frigate from Project 1135.6, exemplifies India’s progress in defense manufacturing. The frigate boasts 26% indigenous content, double that of the previous Teg-class vessels. This milestone was achieved with contributions from 33 Indian firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited, BrahMos Aerospace, and Nova Integrated Systems.
The $2.5 billion deal for four additional Krivak/Talwar-class frigates underscores the strategic collaboration between India and Russia. While two of these ships are being constructed at the Yantar Shipyard, the other two will be built at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) under a technology transfer agreement. INS Tamal, the second Russia-built frigate, is expected to join the Indian Navy by mid-2025.
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A Stealthy Powerhouse
Designed for blue-water operations, INS Tushil is equipped to excel across air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic dimensions of naval warfare. Its advanced arsenal includes:
- BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles for precision strikes.
- Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles with extended range.
- Medium-Range Anti-Air and Surface Guns and close-range rapid-fire gun systems.
- Torpedoes, Rockets, and Sophisticated Electronic Warfare Suites for versatile combat capabilities.
INS Tushil marks a significant step in India’s naval modernization efforts, enhancing its ability to address global maritime challenges.
