INS Tushil: India’s Advanced Stealth Frigate To Strengthen Navy By February 2025

India's latest addition to its naval fleet, the stealth missile frigate INS Tushil, is expected to reach the country's western coast by mid-February 2025.

Commissioned on December 9, 2024, at Russia's Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, INS Tushil represents a significant milestone in India's maritime capabilities and its enduring partnership with Russia.

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Commissioning and Strategic Importance

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was present at the commissioning ceremony, hailed the warship as a "proud testament" to India's growing maritime strength. INS Tushil, derived from the Sanskrit word for "protector shield," is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate under Project 1135.6 and is tailored for blue-water operations spanning air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic dimensions of naval warfare.

En Route to India with Strategic Stops

As part of its journey to India, INS Tushil arrived at Casablanca, Morocco, on December 27 to enhance naval cooperation and bilateral ties between India and Morocco. During its transit, the frigate will also conduct anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Guinea, a critical maritime region off the West African coast.

This operation follows the maiden India-EU naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea in October 2023, aimed at bolstering maritime security. During this exercise, Indian Navy's INS Sumedha joined Italian, Spanish, and French warships for joint drills, underlining the global commitment to counter piracy.

Advanced Capabilities and Indigenous Contributions

INS Tushil boasts state-of-the-art weaponry and systems, including:

• BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles (India-Russia collaboration)
• Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles with extended range
• Medium-range anti-air and surface guns
• Rapid-fire gun systems for close-range combat
• Torpedoes, rockets, and an advanced electronic warfare suite.

With 26% indigenous content, INS Tushil has double the local input compared to its predecessors. Contributions from Indian companies like Bharat Electronics Limited, BrahMos Aerospace, and Nova Integrated Systems showcase India's evolving defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Project Background and Future Developments

INS Tushil is part of a $2.5 billion deal with Russia to supply four Krivak/Talwar class stealth frigates to the Indian Navy. Under this arrangement:

• Two frigates, including INS Tushil, are being built at Russia's Yantar Shipyard.
• Two more will be constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) with technology transfer from Russia.
• The second Russia-built frigate, INS Tamal, is expected to join the Indian Navy by mid-2025.

A Modern Marvel for India's Navy

Designed for versatility across multiple dimensions of naval warfare, INS Tushil is set to join the Western Fleet based in Mumbai, strengthening India's maritime security. Its induction underscores India's commitment to modernizing its navy and safeguarding its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.