INS Tushil, the Indian Navy’s latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, reached its home port in Karwar on Friday, concluding a landmark voyage spanning over 12,500 nautical miles. The warship set sail from Kaliningrad, Russia, on December 18, making port calls in eight countries across three continents during its maiden journey. It will now be inducted into the Mumbai-based Western Naval Command.
Commissioned on December 9 in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, INS Tushil is the first of two follow-on Project 1135.6 Krivak III-class frigates being procured from Russia. Singh described the warship as a “proud testament” to India’s growing maritime capabilities and a “significant milestone” in Indo-Russian defence cooperation.
Before embarking on its voyage to India, the ship’s crew underwent extensive training, including trials and live weapon firings. Their time in Russia also included cultural exchanges aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. According to an official Indian Navy statement, the ship conducted joint exercises and port visits during its journey, reinforcing India’s commitment to maritime cooperation.
Maiden Voyage and Strategic Engagements
INS Tushil’s delivery voyage took it through the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean, with scheduled stops in London (United Kingdom), Casablanca (Morocco), Dakar (Senegal), Lome (Togo), Lagos (Nigeria), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Durban (South Africa), and Victoria (Seychelles). The crew engaged in professional exchanges and conducted Maritime Partnership Exercises (MPX) with Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Namibia, and South Africa navies, underscoring India’s efforts to enhance regional security and interoperability. Additionally, the ship carried out patrols in the Gulf of Guinea, contributing to international maritime security initiatives.
Advanced Capabilities and Indigenous Contributions
Though built in Russia, INS Tushil features approximately 25% Indian content, including weapons, communication systems, and target detection sensors. Key Indian contributions come from 33 defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited, BrahMos Aerospace (an India-Russia joint venture), and Nova Integrated Systems (a subsidiary of Tata Advanced Systems Limited).
As a blue-water combat platform, INS Tushil is designed for multi-dimensional warfare, including anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare operations. The 124-meter-long frigate displaces approximately 4,000 tonnes, has a beam of 15 meters, and a draught of 4.5 meters. It accommodates a crew of 180 personnel.
Equipped with advanced stealth features, the frigate is powered by four Zorya-Mashproekt gas turbines in a combined gas and gas (COGAG) arrangement, enabling a top speed of 32 knots and a range of 4,850 nautical miles.
Weapons and Aviation Capabilities
INS Tushil boasts an extensive arsenal, including:
- Missiles: Eight BrahMos land attack and anti-ship missiles, 24 Shtil-1 and eight Igla-1E surface-to-air missiles.
- Naval Guns: A 100mm naval gun and two AK-630 30mm close-in weapon systems.
- Anti-Submarine Warfare: Anti-submarine rockets and torpedoes launched from 533mm tubes.
- Aviation Facilities: A hangar and flight deck capable of supporting a Ka-28, Ka-31, or Dhruv helicopter for utility, early warning, and anti-submarine operations.
- Defensive Systems: A decoy launcher for countering hostile missile threats.
Future Inductions
India is set to receive a second frigate, INS Tamala, which is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2025. With the induction of these vessels, the Indian Navy aims to further bolster its maritime capabilities and operational readiness.
INS Tushil’s successful maiden voyage marks another step in India’s naval modernization, reinforcing its strategic partnerships and expanding its presence across global waters.
Ravi Shankar
