INS Tushil's journey: From Russian Navy plans to India's fleet
The missile frigate INS Tushil has been commissioned into the Indian Navy. This ship was built in Russia and was originally intended for the Russian Navy. However, due to the aggression against Ukraine, Moscow lost access to necessary components and had to change plans.
The commissioning ceremony for INS Tushil into the Indian Navy took place on December 9 at the Yantar shipyard in the Kaliningrad Oblast. High-ranking government representatives from Russia and India participated in the event. As noted by the Naval News portal, INS Tushil is the seventh ship of this class (Talwar-class frigates) in the Indian Navy, but its history is more intriguing than that of previous ships.
INS Tushil enters into service, but not in the Russian army
The previous six Talwar-class frigates were produced for India in a typical manner. INS Tushil, however, is unique because its construction commenced in 2013 with the Russian Navy in mind. Sanctions imposed on Russia by Ukraine after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 presented obstacles. Interestingly, Naval News notes that it was meant to join the Black Sea Fleet.
This is because the propulsion system of INS Tushil consists of gas turbines produced by the Ukrainian company Zorya-Mashproekt located in Mykolaiv. The Russians were cut off from these turbines, as well as various other Ukrainian components and service support.
The most practical solution for Moscow was to offer INS Tushil to India. The Indian authorities committed to supplying the propulsion system and other necessary parts to complete work on INS Tushil. It is unclear where all the components transferred to Russia originated, but statements from the Indian defence minister suggest that some components are a result of the work of local companies.
Indian authorities emphasize significant involvement of their industry
"The 'Made in India' content is steadily increasing on many ships, and it is also visible on INS Tushil. The ship is a great testimony to the interdependence of Russian and Indian industries," said the Indian defence minister during the ceremony in Kaliningrad.
Like other ships of this class, INS Tushil is nearly 125 metres long and has a displacement of about 4,400 tonnes. However, it differs from its predecessors due to the use of a greater number of systems produced in India. The Naval News portal lists that these include sonar systems, some radars, communication systems, and launchers for depth charges. Among the weaponry expected on this vessel are Indian PJ-10 BrahMos cruise missiles.
The Russians are working on two more ships of this type. One of them (Tamala) is in the outfitting stage and is expected to share the fate of INS Tushil. The other is at an early stage of construction, and at this moment, it is not clear whether it will ultimately be delivered to India.
