New Delhi: The Indian Navy is all set to welcome its newest warship, the INS Tushil, into its fleet on Monday, during a commissioning ceremony held at Yantra Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. The event, presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will mark a significant milestone in Indo-Russian defence cooperation highlighting the growing capabilities of the Indian Navy.
Upon commissioning, the INS Tushil will join the Western Fleet under the Western Naval Command, bolstering the Indian Navy’s “Sword Arm.” It will be among the most technologically advanced frigates globally, demonstrating the Indian Navy’s growing strength and underscoring the robust partnership between India and Russia in defence.
Who will attend the commissioning ceremony?
The commissioning ceremony will attended by high-ranking officials from both nations, reaffirming the enduring strategic partnership between the two countries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on 3-day visit to Russia, along with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will attend the commissioning ceremony. The visit also included meetings with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, to discuss broader defence cooperation initiatives. also attended the ceremony.
Salient features of Indian Navy’s new ‘protector shield’
The INS Tushil, named for its role as a “protector shield” (meaning of Tushil), is a technologically advanced multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate. It’s the seventh in a series of upgraded Krivak III class frigates, based on Project 1135.6. While six ships, three Talwar class and three Teg class, are already in service, the INS Tushil represents the first of two upgraded follow-on ships. The new entry to the advancement of the Indian Navy was signed in a 2016 contract between JSC Rosoboronexport, the Indian Navy, and the Government of India. The construction was overseen by a team of Indian specialists stationed in Kaliningrad. The ship’s motto, “Nirbhay, Abhedya aur Balsheel” (Fearless, Indomitable, Resolute), reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding national maritime interests.
This 125-meter, 3,900-ton vessel represents a potent blend of Russian and Indian expertise. The design incorporates advanced stealth features and improved stability, showcasing the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies from both nations.
Notably, the indigenous content of INS Tushil has been significantly boosted to 26 per cent, more than doubling the number of made-in-India systems to 33. This collaborative effort involved major Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including BrahMos Aerospace, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems (Tata), Elcome Marine, and Johnson Controls India.
Singh to pay respect at “Tomb of unknown soldier”
Beyond the naval commissioning, Minister Singh will pay his respects at the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow to honour the Soviet soldiers who died during World War II.
Further strengthening the diplomatic ties, Minister Singh will also engage with members of the Indian diaspora in Moscow.
