India-Russia Ties: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday a day after the commissioning of INS Tushil, the latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, for the Indian Navy at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. The move, closely watched by the United States, is expected to boost defence cooperation between Delhi and Moscow further.

During the meeting with Putin, Singh was accompanied by India’s Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar and Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov. The Defence Minister called on Putin on the margins of the 21st session of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC).

“Friendship between our countries is higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean. India has always stood by its Russian friends and will continue to do so in future,” Singh told Putin during the meeting that took place at the Kremlin Palace, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

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The MoD also noted that both sides “discussed various issues of bilateral defence cooperation. Both leaders expressed that partnership between both countries holds immense potential and combined efforts will pave way for remarkable outcomes.”

INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigates of the Project 1135.6 of which, six are already in service – three Talwar class ships, built at Baltiysky shipyard, St. Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships, built at Yantar shipyard of Kaliningrad, Russia.

INS Tushil, the seventh in the series, is the first of the two upgraded additional follow-on ships, the contract for which was signed in October 2016 between JSC Rosoboronexport, the Indian Navy and the Government of India.

The ship has been constructed in Russia as part of an over $2.5 billion deal signed between India and Russia in 2016 for four stealth frigates for the Indian Navy. Under the deal, two ships were to be built in Russia, while the other two were to be manufactured in India. 

On Monday during the launch of INS Tushil, Singh had said, “The ship is a big proof of the collaborative prowess of Russian and Indian industries. It exemplifies India’s journey towards technological excellence through jointmanship.”

Reiterating the critical role being played by the Indian Navy in security of the oceans under Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), Singh said, “SAGAR is a symbol of India’s commitment towards collective security, maritime cooperation and sustainable development. In this commitment, we have always received Russia’s support.”

INS Tushil is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic. It is armed with a range of advanced weapons, including the jointly-developed Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, vertically-launched Shtil Surface-to-Air Missiles with enhanced ranges, upgraded medium-range anti-air and surface gun with advanced stealth features, optically-controlled close-range rapid fire gun system, anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets and advanced electronic warfare and communication suite.