Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Russia in early December to commission the INS Tushil, a cutting-edge stealth frigate, and engage in discussions with his Russian counterpart.
This visit, initially slated for November, was rescheduled at Moscow's request, highlighting the ongoing cooperation between the two nations amidst global challenges.
INS Tushil is the first of two advanced stealth frigates being constructed at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad under a $2.5 billion contract signed in 2016 and finalized in 2018.
This deal, a follow-on from the Talwar-class vessels, stipulates the construction of two frigates in Russia and two at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in India with Russian technical collaboration.
The commissioning of INS Tushil marks a significant step in modernizing the Indian Navy. Based on the Russian Krivak III-class design, these new frigates are a more advanced version of the Talwar-class, boasting enhanced stealth capabilities, upgraded sensors, and the capacity to deploy sophisticated weaponry.
Notably, they will be equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, a product of Indo-Russian joint venture, replacing the older 3M-54E Klub-N anti-ship missiles and significantly boosting India's offensive capabilities.
The project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, payment complications between India and Russia, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite these hurdles, INS Tushil is now in its final stages of preparation, with approximately 200 Indian Navy personnel stationed in Russia to oversee the process and conduct acceptance trials.
These trials are expected to conclude by mid-September, paving the way for the formal handover of the vessel. The second frigate, INS Tamal, is anticipated to be delivered by early next year.
Interestingly, these frigates will be powered by M90FR gas turbines procured directly from Ukraine, manufactured by Zorya-Mashproekt. This procurement underscores India's commitment to acquiring critical defence technology despite geopolitical complexities. The engines will be fitted onto the frigates at GSL.
During his visit, Defence Minister Singh will also review the broader defence partnership between India and Russia, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the timely delivery of crucial defence systems. This includes addressing delays in the delivery of S-400 missile systems.
