Indian Navy's Russia-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tushil to be commissioned Monday

New Delhi: India is set to get its latest stealth warship on Monday when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will commission INS Tushil at Kaliningrad in Russia.

The guided missile frigate with advanced stealth features is an upgraded Krivak III class vessel that packs a lethal punch. A second similar ship INS Tamal will be delivered by the Russians by the first quarter of 2025.

A powerful ship with all kinds of weapons and sensors, INS Tushil is fitted with Brahmos cruise missile as its principal weapon.

Post construction, the ship underwent a series of extensive trials, beginning January this year, including factory sea trials, state committee trials and lastly delivery acceptance trials by a team of Indian specialists.

“During the trials, the ship clocked an impressive speed of more than 30 knots. With these trials including weapon firing being successfully completed, the ship will reach India in a near combat-ready condition ready to deliver its effects from the word go,” said an official.

The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by the Defence Minister who will be visiting Russia for the annual India-Russia summit on military technical cooperation.

The 125 metre, 3,900 ton ship’s design provides it with enhanced stealth features and better stability characteristics. With the collaboration of Indian naval specialists and Severnoye Design Bureau, the indigenous content of the ship has been enhanced to 26% and the number of made-in-India systems have more than doubled to 33.

This will be the seventh Russia-made stealth frigate in the Indian Navy coming after three Talwar class and three Teg class warships.

INS Tushil and Tamal are the two naval platforms being built at a yard outside India while 63 ships and submarines are at various stages of construction in Indian shipyards. The navy has also received approval for 31 ships and submarines and 60 helicopters.

“On commissioning, INS Tushil will join the Western Fleet, and will rank amongst the most technologically advanced frigates in the world,” he said.