India will finally receive the stealth frigate Tushil from Russia in December 2024 after a long delay. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will induct the guided-missile warship on December 9 at the Yantar Shipyard in Russia’s Kaliningrad.

According to the sources, the delivery of the first of four state-of-the-art frigates which are under construction for the Indian Navy was delayed due to supply constraints following the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The induction represents a major boost to India’s naval power and comes amid evolving strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

The Tushil, an advanced stealth frigate, is equipped with cutting-edge weapons systems and can perform multiple functions, including air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat. Its design and weaponry will provide the Indian Navy with enhanced operational capabilities, allowing it to effectively respond to a range of threats.

The ship’s name, Tushil, means “protector” in Sanskrit, underscoring its mission to safeguard India’s maritime borders and interests.

Russia and India signed an agreement for the acquisition of four stealth frigates in October 2016. Under the agreement, two of the frigates were to be imported directly, while the remaining two were designated for local construction by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

A $1-billion contract was finalised for the direct procurement of the first two frigates, and in November 2018, GSL secured a $500 million deal with Rosoboronexport for materials, design, and technical support to manufacture the remaining ships domestically. The formal contract between the Indian Defence Ministry and GSL was signed in January 2019.

All four frigates, including Tushil, are powered by engines from Zorya-Mashproekt, a Ukrainian manufacturer, ensuring consistent propulsion capabilities across the fleet.

The induction of Tushil is significant as India reinforces its focus on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, a region marked by significant geopolitical competition and challenges to freedom of navigation.

The Tushil will serve as a crucial asset in extending India’s naval reach and enhancing its ability to secure key sea lanes and respond to emerging threats.

As the first in a series of four such frigates, the ship will pave the way for a more robust Indian Navy capable of projecting power and protecting strategic interests in increasingly contested waters. According to sources, the second frigate of the project will be delivered by the first four months of next year.

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