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India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Russia, aimed at boosting military cooperation between the two nations. On December 9, he will commission the Indian Navy’s newest warship, Tushil, at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi has already reached Russia for the ceremony.

Tushil is an advanced stealth frigate, part of the Krivak III class under Project 1135.6. India has six such ships in service—three Talwar-class ships built in St. Petersburg and three Teg-class ships built at the Yantar shipyard. These ships are known for their stealth and multi-role capabilities.

The commissioning is part of a $2.5 billion deal with Russia for four new frigates. Two are being built in Russia, including Tushil, while the remaining two are being constructed at Goa Shipyard Limited in India with Russian technology transfer. The next frigate, Tamal, is expected to join the Indian Navy in 2025.

Defence cooperation talks

On December 10, Singh will co-chair the 21st India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in Moscow with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov. The discussions will focus on enhancing military-to-military ties and industrial collaboration.

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The two leaders will also review ongoing projects and discuss ways to resolve challenges caused by sanctions on Russia due to the Ukraine war. These sanctions have delayed some defence projects and raised concerns about sourcing spare parts for existing Russian-made equipment in India.

Honouring history and community interaction

During his visit, Singh will pay homage at Moscow’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial for Soviet soldiers who died in World War II. He will also meet with members of the Indian community in Russia to strengthen cultural ties.

This trip highlights the importance of the India-Russia defence relationship, showcasing mutual efforts to address challenges and explore new opportunities for cooperation.