SOURCE: AFI
In a proud moment for the Indian Navy, INS Tushil, the first of two additional P1135.6 follow-on stealth frigates, sailed into its home port at Karwar, Karnataka, today, marking the culmination of an extraordinary journey spanning over 12,500 nautical miles. The warship, which set sail from Kaliningrad, Russia, on 18 December 2024, visited eight countries across three continents, showcasing India’s maritime prowess and reinforcing its diplomatic ties with friendly nations.
INS Tushil, an advanced multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, embarked on its maiden operational deployment following its commissioning into the Indian Navy on 9 December 2024. The ship’s journey from Russia to India was not just a logistical feat but a testament to India’s growing stature as a maritime power. Traversing the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and finally the Indian Ocean, INS Tushil made strategic port calls in eight countries, engaging in collaborative exercises and fostering goodwill along the way.
The port visits, which spanned Europe, Africa, and Asia, underscored the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime diplomacy and its role as a responsible partner in ensuring global maritime security. These engagements included interactions with foreign navies, diplomatic exchanges, and joint exercises, all aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and promoting regional stability.
INS Tushil, part of the upgraded Krivak III class under Project 1135.6, is a significant addition to the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet. Built at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, the frigate is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced stealth features, making it one of the most technologically advanced warships in the world. Its arrival at Karwar, home to Asia’s largest naval base under Project Seabird, further bolsters India’s maritime security architecture in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region.
The frigate is armed with a range of cutting-edge systems, including BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Shtil surface-to-air missiles, and advanced electronic warfare and communication suites. These capabilities enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to counter diverse threats, from surface and air attacks to underwater challenges, ensuring dominance in the Indian Ocean region.
INS Tushil’s induction is part of a broader $2.5-billion deal signed in 2016 between India and Russia for the construction of four stealth frigates. While INS Tushil and its sister ship, INS Tamal (expected to be commissioned in mid-2025), are being built in Russia, the remaining two frigates will be constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited with technology transfer, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. This collaboration not only strengthens India’s naval capabilities but also underscores the enduring defense partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.