IT Correspondent
Mumbai, Oct 29:
The 7th Indian Navy Frigate of P1135.6 class was launched at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia in presence of Ambassador of India (Moscow) D Bala Venkatesh Varma and senior dignitaries of the Russian Federation and officials of the Indian Navy on Thursday.
During the ceremony, the ship was formally named as ‘Tushil’ by Datla Vidya Varma, wife of D Bala Venkatesh Varma. “Tushil” is a Sanskrit word meaning Protector Shield.
The agreement to construct two ships of Project 1135.6 in Russia and two ships in India was signed between the Government of India and Government of Russian Federation on October 18. Accordingly two ships will be constructed in Russia and remaining two ships will be constructed at M/s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), a Defence spokesman Commander Mehul Karnik said.
The construction of these ships is based on 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 under water noise signatures. These ships are being equipped with major Indian supplied equipment such as Surface to Surface Missiles, Sonar system, Surface Surveillance Radar, Communication Suite and ASW system along with Russian Surface to Air Missiles and gun mounts.
In his address during the launch, Ilya Samarin, Director General, Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, 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.
Samarin thanked the Indian Government for its unstinted support and reiterated shipyard’s commitment to deliver the ships as per contractual timelines. On the occasion, Varma, 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.
