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India and Russia marked a milestone with the commissioning of the INS Tushil, a new stealth-guided missile frigate, in Kaliningrad, Russia.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India and Russia's growing cooperation in areas like AI, cybersecurity, space exploration, and counter-terrorism.
The second frigate, Tamal, will be delivered in early 2024, marking continued defense cooperation between the two nations.
INS Tushil
It is a multi-role stealth guided missile frigate.
It is the latest in a series of upgraded Krivak III-class frigates, part of the Russian-designed Project 1135.6.
The Indian Navy already operates six ships from this class, including three Talwar-class frigates and three Teg-class follow-ons, all built at Russian shipyards in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.
INS Tushil, the seventh vessel in this series
It is the first of two upgraded frigates under a contract signed in 2016 between the Indian Government, JSC Rosoboronexport, and the Russian defence industry.
The ship’s name, Tushil, translates to "protector shield," and its crest embodies the concept of an "Impenetrable Shield" (Abhedya Kavacham), reflecting the Navy's commitment to safeguarding India’s maritime borders.
At 125 meters in length and displacing 3,900 tons, INS Tushil is equipped with advanced stealth features, making it less detectable by enemy radar and more stable in various sea conditions.
The ship incorporates 26 percent indigenous technology, with over 33 systems developed by Indian manufacturers.
The ship will be assigned to the Western Fleet under the Western Naval Command, joining the “Sword Arm” of the Indian Navy.
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