What’s notable is that the main engines—the gas turbines of these frigates—are manufactured in Ukraine. This creates an interesting situation: a Russian warship with a Ukrainian engine, built for India, a country with close ties to both nations.
Moscow:
Despite the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the two countries collaborated for a shared purpose—producing a warship for the Indian Navy. The ship was delivered to New Delhi on Monday during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Moscow.
The frigate, INS Tushil, is one of two naval ships India ordered from Russia in 2016. It is a Krivak III-class warship, an advanced stealth missile frigate. India currently operates six such vessels, all built in Russia.
In addition to the two ships being made in Russia, India has ordered two more similar vessels to be constructed locally, likely at the Goa Shipyard.
What is particularly interesting is that the primary engines—gas turbines—of these frigates are manufactured in Ukraine. This means that a Russian warship, equipped with a Ukrainian engine, has been built for India, a nation with close relations to both Russia and Ukraine. A significant portion of the Indian Navy’s fleet uses gas turbines from Zorya-Mashproekt, a Ukrainian company recognized globally as a leader in marine gas turbine production.
What makes this order even more unique is that it was fulfilled amid the war between Russia and Ukraine. Despite the conflict, both countries managed to deliver the order. However, there were challenges: India had to directly procure these engines from Ukraine and transport them to Russia for installation, leading to some delays.
ABOUT INS TUSHIL
INS Tushil is the Indian Navy’s latest multi-role, stealth-guided missile frigate. The name “Tushil” translates to “protector shield,” and its crest symbolizes the “Abhedya Kavacham” (Impenetrable Shield). Its motto—”Nirbhay, Abhedya aur Balsheel” (Fearless, Indomitable, and Resolute)—represents the Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding India’s maritime borders.
INS Tushil is part of the advanced Russian Krivak III-class warships under ‘Project 11356.’
Project 11356 refers to the Talwar-class frigates, a series of stealth, guided-missile frigates designed and built by Russia for the Indian Navy. These ships are an advanced version of the Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates used by Russia. Between 1999 and 2013, Russia built and delivered six of these ships to India.
The six Krivak-class warships already in service include three Talwar-class ships built at the Baltiysky shipyard in St. Petersburg, and three Teg-class ships constructed at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad.
INS Tushil will be the seventh ship in the series and the first of two upgraded, advanced warships. In October 2016, the Indian government and Navy signed a contract with Russia’s JSC Rosoboronexport for these ships. The 125-meter-long, 3,900-tonne warship has been under the constant supervision of India’s Warship Overseeing Team in Kaliningrad throughout its construction. It is equipped with advanced Indian missiles, the specifics of which are not disclosed by the Indian Navy.
The warship has completed a series of trials, including factory and state committee trials starting in January 2024. During these trials, it achieved an impressive speed of over 30 knots (55 km/h). It is now being delivered to India in combat-ready condition.
Russia will deliver INS Tushil to India in Kaliningrad on Monday, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi will commission it. Once commissioned, INS Tushil will join the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, also known as the ‘Sword Arm,’ under the Western Naval Command.
THE CHINA CHALLENGE
While the first of the two warships was delivered on Monday, the second ship may take some time. This warship is a vital addition to the Indian Navy, which faces the challenge of the rapidly expanding Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean.
The Chinese Navy is the fastest-growing naval force globally and may have already surpassed the U.S. Navy in fleet size, according to some reports. This growth is most acutely felt in the Indian Ocean. While India enjoys a strategic advantage in the region, due to its proximity to crucial choke points, China has the upper hand in terms of the sheer number of vessels in its naval fleet.
