SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to travel to Russia in early December to commission INS Tushil, the first of two advanced stealth frigates being constructed at the Kaliningrad-based Yantar Shipyard under a $2.5 billion contract. This significant milestone marks a crucial step in the strengthening of the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities, as INS Tushil is the first of the two frigates being built under a follow-on agreement to the Talwar-class vessels.
In 2016, India and Russia signed an inter-governmental agreement for the construction of four frigates. The agreement was formalized in 2018, with two frigates to be built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, and the remaining two at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in India. The construction of these frigates was part of a strategic plan to bolster India’s naval fleet, and the new ships are an advanced iteration of the Talwar-class frigates, based on the Russian Krivak III-class design.
Originally, INS Tushil and the second frigate, INS Tamal, were expected to be delivered by the end of 2022. However, the timeline was significantly impacted by global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, payment complications between India and Russia, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite these delays, INS Tushil is now undergoing final preparations, with its commissioning set for December. The second frigate, INS Tamal, is expected to be delivered by early next year.
Named after the Sanskrit word for “shield,” INS Tushil embodies the advanced capabilities that these new frigates will bring to the Indian Navy. About 200 Indian Navy personnel have been stationed in Russia to oversee the final stages of construction and to conduct acceptance trials for the vessel. These trials are expected to conclude by mid-September, after which the ship will be formally handed over to the Indian Navy.
The frigates being built in Kaliningrad are heavily armed and feature state-of-the-art technologies and weaponry. A notable enhancement over previous versions of the Talwar-class ships is the integration of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, a joint venture between India and Russia. These powerful missiles will replace the older 3M-54E Klub-N anti-ship missiles, giving the new frigates a significant boost in offensive capabilities.
One of the standout features of the new frigates is their M90FR gas turbines, which India has procured directly from Ukraine. These gas turbines, built by the renowned Ukrainian firm Zorya-Mashproekt, are a key component of the propulsion system. Despite the geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, India has managed to secure these engines, which will be fitted onto the frigates at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
The Talwar-class frigates are a class of guided-missile frigates that were originally designed and built by Russia for the Indian Navy. The new ships being constructed under this deal are an upgraded version of the Talwar-class, incorporating advanced stealth features, improved sensors, and the ability to carry more sophisticated weapon systems, including the BrahMos missiles.
These vessels are closely related to Russia’s Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, a modern class of frigates that also derive their design from the Krivak III-class platform. By incorporating new technology and combat systems, INS Tushil and INS Tamal will offer superior performance in surface warfare, anti-air warfare, and anti-submarine operations.
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