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How Russian made Frigate INS Tushil will boost the firepower of the Indian Navy - Explained

Source : News18

How Russian made Frigate INS Tushil will boost the firepower of the Indian Navy - Explained

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned INS Tushil at the Yantar Shipyard at Kaliningrad, Russia, as part of the three-day official visit to Moscow that began on Sunday. He described the warship as the “proud testament" to India’s growing maritime power and a “significant milestone" in India and Russia’s long-standing friendship.

The Defence Minister reiterated Indian Navy’s commitment to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). “Our Navy has foiled the designs of piracy, arms and drug smugglers and non-state actors in various hotspots. From the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden, from Suez to Malacca & from Australia to Madagascar, the Indian Navy is playing the essential role of a net security provider in IOR. 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."

What is special about INS Tushil is that its engine has been made in Ukraine amidst the war.

Let us understand the capabilities of INS Tushil, how was it made and how it will be a game changer for the Navy.

What Is INS Tushil?

The multi-role stealth guided INS Tushil missile frigate is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate of the Project 1135.6 of which, six are already in service – three Talwar class ships, built at Baltiysky shipyard, St. Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships, built at Yantar shipyard, Kaliningrad. So far, six such ships have been built and delivered by Russia to India between 1999 and 2013.

INS Tushil is the seventh in series and the first of the two additional follow-ups ships under construction in Russia. India and Russia signed a deal in October 2016 for four stealth frigates, two to be built in Russia and the other two to be manufactured at Goa Shipyard Limited. The second frigate Tamal is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in Russia in the first quarter of next year, according to a report in The Hindu. The delays happened due to Covid and the Ukraine war.



The deal for the vessel was signed between JSC Rosoboronexport, Indian Navy and the Government of India in October 2016 and was anticipated to be delivered by the end of 2022.

INS Tushil is powered by engines from Zorya Mashproekt of Ukraine, which is considered a giant in marine gas turbine production.

India has around 30 ships, which use gas turbines from the Ukrainian firm as their primary source of propulsion. These range from the Veer class missile boats to the ageing Rajput class destroyers to the brand-new Visakhapatnam class destroyers.

The ship’s keel was laid on July 12, 2013 and was launched in water in October 2021. The ship sailed out for her maiden sea trials on January 25, 2024, and completed an exhaustive schedule of factory trials followed by State Committee Trials and finally the delivery acceptance trials, both in harbour and at sea, by September 24, 2024. The ship has successfully carried out firing trials of all Russian weapon systems and would reach India in near combat-ready condition, the Navy stated.

What Are The Capabilities Of INS Tushil?

The INS Tushil is a 125-metre-long, 3,900-tonne ship, packing a lethal punch and “an impressive blend of Russian and Indian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction", according to the defence ministry.

INS Tushil will also be armed with eight BrahMos vertically launched anti-ship cruise missiles, 24 medium range and eight short range surface-to-air missiles, a 100 mm gun and two close-in weapons for last ditch defence against incoming missiles. In addition, it will have two double torpedo tubes and a rocket launcher to deal with submarines. It is also equipped with an array of radars, navigation aids, sonar and electronic warfare suites, fire control systems and decoys.



The ship is also capable of embarking the upgraded anti-submarine and airborne early warning helicopters, the Kamov 28 and Kamov 31. The frigate is powered by an advanced gas turbine propulsion plant with state-of-the-art controls and is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knot, according to The Hindu report.

Why INS Tushil Is Crucial For Indian Navy

Igor Korotchenko, the editor-in-chief of National Defence magazine and the Director at the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade, told Sputnik India, “INS Tushil is equipped with advanced anti-submarine warfare and air defence systems, making it a versatile platform for multiple missions." The ship will serve India’s geopolitical interests as well, he added.

The INS Tushil will also help India counter China’s growing power in the Indian Ocean. Some experts have said that the Chinese navy is the fastest growing in the world and may have surpassed the US navy when it comes to sheer strength.

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