New Delhi:
Indian Navy’s Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tushil was officially commissioned into the force at Russia’s coastal city of Kaliningrad on Monday.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and several other senior Indian officials.
INS Tushil is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capability in the Indian Ocean, an area that has seen increased activities by China’s PLA Navy in recent years.
The frigate was constructed in Russia as part of a deal worth over USD 2.5 billion signed between New Delhi and Moscow in 2016 for four stealth frigates for the Indian Navy.
Two of the frigates were to be built in Russia, while the remaining two were to be manufactured in India.
During the ceremony, Mr. Singh hailed the commissioning of INS Tushil as a proud moment for India’s maritime strength and a significant milestone in the enduring ties between India and Russia.
“The construction of this ship showcases the collaborative strength of Russian and Indian industries, demonstrating India’s journey towards technological excellence through partnership,” he stated.
Singh also emphasized the potential for a “new era” of cooperation between India and Russia in various fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, space exploration, and counter-terrorism.
INS Tushil’s construction was closely overseen by an Indian team of specialists from the ‘Warship Overseeing Team’ based in Kaliningrad.
Weighing 3,900 tonnes and measuring 125 meters in length, the frigate boasts advanced stealth features and stability characteristics, incorporating cutting-edge technologies from both Russian and Indian sources.
Indian naval specialists collaborated with Severnoye Design Bureau to enhance the indigenous content of the ship to an impressive 26 percent, officials revealed.
Key Indian defense firms involved in the project included BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, Elcome Marine, Johnson Controls India, and others.
INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate under Project 1135.6.
The frigate stands as a testament to the dedication of hundreds of shipyard workers and the collaboration between multiple Russian and Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), according to officials.
(This story has been published from a syndicated feed without any editing by NDTV staff, except for the headline.)
