After facing multiple delays, the Indian Navy is set to receive two advanced stealth frigates from Russia, starting in September. The construction and delivery schedule was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and Western sanctions on Russia.
A defence official confirmed that the first ship, named "Tushil," is ready for handover to the Indian Navy and will be delivered in September. The commissioning crew has already arrived in Russia earlier this month. The second frigate, "Tamal," is expected to be delivered by February 2025.
This procurement is part of a larger Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) signed between India and Russia in October 2016. The IGA encompasses four stealth frigates: two to be directly imported from Russia and two to be constructed domestically by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). A $1 billion deal was signed for the two frigates under direct purchase, while a $500 million contract was awarded to GSL for the local construction of the remaining two.
The two frigates being built at GSL are expected to be delivered in 2026, with the first one launching in the next couple of months. Defence officials have expressed confidence in meeting this timeline.
The frigates being imported from Russia were originally basic structures lying at the Yantar shipyard. India secured these structures and they are now being completed. The Indian Navy already operates six similar frigates, each weighing around 4,000 tonnes.
The project faced initial delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which were further compounded by the war in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions imposed on Russia. However, despite these challenges, the delivery of the first two frigates is now imminent.
This development underscores the ongoing defence cooperation between India and Russia, even amidst geopolitical complexities. The addition of these stealth frigates is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy's capabilities.
