INS Tushil: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned INS Tushil at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad during his three-day official visit to Moscow. He highlighted the warship as a testament to India’s growing maritime strength and a milestone in India-Russia relations.
Singh reaffirmed the Indian Navy’s commitment to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). He noted its critical role in countering piracy, arms and drug smuggling, and non-state threats across hotspots like the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Suez, Malacca, and beyond. Emphasizing on international collaboration, he stressed the importance of ensuring secure maritime trade to promote free and unhindered commerce in the region.
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INS Tushil is part of a $2.5 billion deal signed by India and Russia in 2016 for four stealth frigates for the Indian Navy. Under this agreement, two ships were to be constructed in Russia and the remaining two in India.
The commissioning ceremony at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard was attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin, and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Aleksandr Alekseyevich Moiseyev.
What Is INS Tushil?
INS Tushil is a stealth warship made for the Indian Navy. It is part of the Krivak III class, known as Project 1135.6. Six similar ships are already in service with India—three called Talwar class ships, built in St. Petersburg, and three Teg class ships, built in Kaliningrad. These ships were delivered to India between 1999 and 2013.
INS Tushil is the seventh ship in this series and one of four new stealth frigates from a deal India made with Russia in October 2016. According to News18, two ships, including Tushil, were built in Russia, while the other two are being made at Goa Shipyard in India. The second ship, Tamal, is expected to be delivered next year. Delays happened because of COVID-19 and the Ukraine war.
The ship uses advanced gas turbine engines made by Zorya Mashproekt, a famous company in Ukraine. These engines also power about 30 Indian Navy ships, including Veer-class missile boats, older Rajput-class destroyers, and newer Visakhapatnam-class destroyers.
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The construction of Tushil started on July 12, 2013. It was launched into water in October 2021. It began sea trials on January 25, 2024, and finished all its tests by September 24, 2024. These tests included firing its weapons, both in the harbor and at sea. The Navy says Tushil is nearly ready for combat and will soon arrive in India.
Capabilities Of INS Tushil
INS Tushil is a powerful warship that is 125 meters long and weighs 3,900 tonnes. It combines advanced technology from Russia and India, making it a modern and deadly addition to the Indian Navy.
The ship will carry eight BrahMos cruise missiles that can strike enemy ships, 24 medium-range and 8 short-range air defense missiles, and a 100 mm gun for powerful attacks.
For close defense, it has two close-in weapon systems to stop incoming missiles. It also includes torpedo tubes, a rocket launcher to fight submarines, and advanced radars, sonar, and electronic systems for navigation and warfare.
INS Tushil can carry Kamov 28 and Kamov 31 helicopters, which are useful for detecting submarines and providing early warnings. It uses an advanced gas turbine engine, allowing it to reach speeds of over 30 knots (around 56 km/h).
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Why INS Tushil Is Crucial For Indian Navy
Igor Korotchenko, a defense expert and editor of National Defence magazine, shared that INS Tushil is fitted with advanced systems for anti-submarine warfare and air defense. This makes it suitable for many types of missions. He also noted that the ship will support India’s strategic interests.
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INS Tushil is expected to help India counter China’s rising influence in the Indian Ocean. Experts say that China’s navy is growing rapidly and might now be stronger than the U.S. Navy in terms of size. This makes ships like INS Tushil important for maintaining balance and security in the region.
“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,” Rajnath Singh said, adding that the friendship between the two countries is bound by “mutual trust, and special and strategic privileged partnership”.
“From the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden, from Suez to Malacca and from Australia to Madagascar, the Indian Navy is playing the essential role of a net security provider in the IOR,” he said.
“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,” he said.
