Kaliningrad – In a landmark ceremony held at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, the Russian-built Project 11356 frigate Tushil was officially handed over to the Indian Navy. The event was graced by the presence of India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, underscoring the enduring partnership between the two nations.

(Courtesy: BHARAT РОССИЯ)

The ceremony, marked by the raising of the Indian national flag on Tushil, represents a significant milestone in Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation. The frigate, which integrates 20 Indian-manufactured hull systems, is further equipped with the advanced BrahMos supersonic missile system. This integration aligns with India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiatives, highlighting a deep commitment to joint technological collaboration.

(Courtesy: BHARAT РОССИЯ)

“The transfer of Tushil is a testament to the mutual trust and strategic partnership between Russia and India. These frigates have repeatedly demonstrated their exceptional performance, earning the confidence of the Indian Navy,” said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT. “In addition to this milestone, we are working on approximately ten ongoing naval projects with India and exploring several promising new ventures.” The addition of Tushil marks the seventh Project 11356 frigate in the Indian Navy’s fleet. The preceding six frigates have garnered widespread acclaim for their operational success across global waters.

(Courtesy: BHARAT РОССИЯ)

Andrey Puchkov, Director General of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, commented: “The Project 11356 frigates are versatile platforms, offering robust capabilities to address threats on the surface, underwater, and in the air. Despite their relatively compact size, these ships epitomise modern trends in naval engineering and shipbuilding.” Russia and India’s approach to military-technical collaboration emphasises technological partnership, in alignment with India’s strategic vision of fostering Indigenous capabilities.