Delayed Russian Frigate "Tushil" Finally Starts Sea Trials for Indian Navy

After a series of delays, the Indian Navy has achieved a significant milestone as Russia's Yantar Shipyard commences long-awaited sea trials for the first of four Project 11356 frigates – the "Tushil".

Video footage confirms the warship's departure from the shipyard, overcoming setbacks that have plagued the project for over a year.

Delays and Resilience​

The "Tushil" was initially intended for completion in August 2023. However, a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, significantly disrupted its construction timeline.

COVID-19-related issues alone led to an initial nine-month delay, with the conflict in Ukraine causing an additional six-month setback. Despite these obstacles, the frigate was successfully launched in October 2021, with sea trials now underway.

India anticipates taking full delivery of the warship by mid-2024.

India's Naval Modernization Drive​

The "Tushil" marks the first of four contracted Project 11356 frigates, a deal inked between India and Russia in November 2018. Under this agreement, the Yantar Shipyard will build two frigates, while Goa Shipyard Limited in India will construct the remaining two.

This project represents a crucial aspect of India's ongoing efforts to modernize and bolster its naval capabilities.

Formidable Features​

Designed for versatility in both coastal and deep-water combat operations, Project 11356 frigates are equipped to neutralize a wide range of threats. They can function independently or as part of a larger naval force, targeting submarines, surface vessels, and aerial targets.

The "Tushil's" comprehensive arsenal features a 100mm A-190 artillery gun, anti-aircraft missiles like the Kalibr and Shtil systems (designated as BrahMos in India), and torpedo launchers. Additionally, the frigate can house a Ka-27 helicopter or its variants, further enhancing its operational reach.

Technical Specifications​

Displacing 3,620 tons, the "Tushil" stretches 124.8 meters in length and can reach an impressive top speed of 30 knots.

A remarkable cruising range of 4,850 nautical miles gives the frigate the endurance necessary to protect India's extensive maritime interests.

Conclusion​

The commencement of the "Tushil's" sea trials is a promising development that showcases the resilience of India-Russia defense cooperation.

The addition of these advanced frigates will undoubtedly bolster India's naval strength and its ability to safeguard its strategic position in the region.

 

[Sir Capt]

Being of Russian origin. It'll be easy to sink this. The Ukrainian have proved this.

 

[Ramsses CDXX]

Perhaps last of Russian warship import❗

 

[GMR]

Perhaps last of Russian warship import❗

As IN has commented, these 2 will be last imported surface ships, ever.

 

[Anant]

As IN has commented, these 2 will be last imported surface ships, ever.

I have sincere hopes that the Navy will consider buying a few second-hand Hunt-class or Tripartite-class MCM vessels. The Navy has no MCM capabilities other than using helicopters (or the more morbid way of using your ships as single-use minesweepers).

With plans for new MCMVs delayed, we could use those ships for a few years more.

That said, we shouldn't be looking to import any more new ships unless absolutely necessary.

 

[Indian1ST.]

Being of Russian origin. It'll be easy to sink this. The Ukrainian have proved this.

Pls tell us how is the weather in Rawalpindi or Peking

 

[sunilanalysis]

Indigenous frigates are better than Russian junk in navy..
Otherwise In war it will meet fate of Russian black sea fleet 🙂

 

[desigandu]

No more foreign made ships or subs...India should built its ships/subs domestically, even if we collaborate with foreign OEMs...We need a faster pace of shipbuilding - P-18s, P-17Bs, P-15Bs, P-75Is, LPD etc.

 

[Rajesh]

A project which was forgotten or hidden among defense enthusiasts. The last Russian warship project from Indian .

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I have sincere hopes that the Navy will consider buying a few second-hand Hunt-class or Tripartite-class MCM vessels. The Navy has no MCM capabilities other than using helicopters (or the more morbid way of using your ships as single-use minesweepers).

i think instead of buying, leasing modern MCM ships is better choice for training puposes until indigenous MCM ships are ready. Indian Navy has already released RFI for procurement/leasing.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

No more foreign made ships or subs...India should built its ships/subs domestically, even if we collaborate with foreign OEMs...We need a faster pace of shipbuilding - P-18s, P-17Bs, P-15Bs, P-75Is, LPD etc.

These 2 are last foreign made ships India will buy. Navy has already said that. Leasing is another matter.

 

[Amit Ray]

Being of Russian origin. It'll be easy to sink this. The Ukrainian have proved this.

Even US destroyers are sunk by Houti's drones. Nothing is indestructible.

 

[Man-ju]

For those questioning why India is importing frigates from Russia when it can build bigger and better ships indigenously. The thing is this was a blackmaile tactics used by Russia when their own frigates were lying waste due to lack of Ukrainian engines after Crimea conflict they decided to tag the sale of S400 and sell these scrap to India. Please remember October 2018 when the deal for this sale was signed along with S400 deal. Tech transfer is just a coverup as these ships have nothing significant to offer to our fleet.

 

[Anant]

i think instead of buying, leasing modern MCM ships is better choice for training puposes until indigenous MCM ships are ready. Indian Navy has already released RFI for procurement/leasing.

Fair point, but who exactly has sufficient numbers of modern MCMVs that they can lease? Practically no one does.

 

[Anant]

Even US destroyers are sunk by Houti's drones. Nothing is indestructible.

Um, US destroyers can be sunk by Houthi drones. They haven't. Most of Russia's naval losses have come thanks to gaps in doctrine and Ukraine innovating in a way that the Russians did not foresee. You are, however, entirely correct in saying that nothing is indestructible.

 

[Ajath]

Being of Russian origin. It'll be easy to sink this. The Ukrainian have proved this.

Do you know of any invincible warship A warship which cannot be sunk by any missiles or torpedos ?

 

[Avada kedavra]

Seeing how Russian warships are getting sunked one by one.....
Wonder what difference this one will make.

 

[Avada kedavra]

For those questioning why India is importing frigates from Russia when it can build bigger and better ships indigenously. The thing is this was a blackmaile tactics used by Russia when their own frigates were lying waste due to lack of Ukrainian engines after Crimea conflict they decided to tag the sale of S400 and sell these scrap to India. Please remember October 2018 when the deal for this sale was signed along with S400 deal. Tech transfer is just a coverup as these ships have nothing significant to offer to our fleet.

Do u know the secret lf why Indian military chose the s400 over the patriot?

 

[Sandeep]

This is good news and progress as we bought these frigates at a much cheaper rate than if we built those frigates ourselves. Hopefully they are battle ready for active service because we need more ships but we should focus on developing next generation technology and ship building.

After this deal we shouldn't be making anymore large Russian imports or foreign weapons purchases and most of the imports is because we are upgrading or updating our existing Russian technology and parts like jets, tanks, IFV, engines, advanced radar etc.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

For anyone chest thumping that these are the last of foreign ships ordered by IN...........a question....have any of you been to an actual IN warship? I share a finding......Indian manufacuted ships work, but the lack the finish of foreign ones....think of them like Tata Safari and Land Rover......Safari works and is a great car......but he moves in LR...anyways

Indian public shipyards are some the least efficient ones and lack both in tech and an understanding of shipbuilding in terms of novel robot assisted maufacturing...think of it like indian shipyards are happy producing vande bharats when the JApanese bullet trains are the ones to be aimed for.........the only way this can happen is to have foreign tech collaboration and pvt sector participation and some off the shelf purchases so we can actually see and learn