NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, OCT 29
The seventh frigate of P1135.6 class for the Indian Navy was launched at Yantar Shipyard in Russia’s Kaliningrad on Thursday in the presence of Indian Ambassador to Russia D Bala Venkatesh Varma and senior dignitaries of the Russian Federation, the Indian Navy said on Friday.
During ceremony 🚢 was named ‘Tushil’ which is a #Sanskrit word meaning Protector Shield
Based on Inter-Governmental Agreement btwn #India &
Govt of Russian Federation for construction of 2 🚢 🚢 of Project 1135.6 ships in Russia & 2 🚢🚢 in India at M/s @goashipyardltd pic.twitter.com/ODMnxKGUwu— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) October 29, 2021
The Indian and Russian governments had in October 2016 signed an agreement to construct four additional P1135.6 class ships — two each in Russia and India.
These ships feature “stealth technology” in terms of low radar and under water noise signatures, the ministry stated.
The delivery of the two ships from Russia is expected by 2023.
During the launch ceremony, the ship was formally named as ”Tushil” by Smt Datla Vidya Varma, which means protector shield in Sanskrit, the ministry’s statement noted.
The construction of the ships is based on the Indian Navy’s specific requirements to meet the entire spectrum of naval warfare in all three dimensions of air, surface and sub-surface.
“The ships with a potent combination of state-of-art Indian and Russian weapons and sensors are equipped to operate in Littoral and Blue waters, both as a single unit and as consort in a naval task force. They feature stealth technology in terms of low radar and underwater noise signatures,” the Indian Navy said. “These ships are being equipped with major Indian-supplied equipment such as surface to surface missiles, sonar system, surface surveillance radar, communication suite and anti-submarine warfare system, along with Russian surface to air missiles and gun mounts,” the ministry mentioned.
Ilya Samarin, Director General, Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, in his address dwelt upon the challenges faced by the shipyard in executing the complex shipbuilding project.
Despite challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, production of the ships was continued by utilisation of innovative solutions. He thanked the Indian government for their support and reiterated the shipyard’s commitment to deliver the ships as per contractual timelines.
D Bala Venkatesh Varma, Ambassador of India (Moscow), highlighted the long-standing tradition of military technical cooperation between India and Russia. He acknowledged the efforts put in by the Yantar Shipyard to ensure that the ship was launched as per contractual timelines, overcoming the challenges imposed by Covid-19.
