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OPINION AUGUST 29, 2025 | The Indian Eye 13

such as global supply chain disrup- sensor suites, and AI-enabled systems
tions and delays linked to interna- holds good prospects. Additionally,
tional sanctions, the frigate project there is potential for collaboration
has persisted—highlighting the en- in underwater platforms, including
during strength and resilience of the unmanned systems. Areas of inter-
India–Russia defense partnership. est may also include naval propul-
One of the key setbacks in the con- sion technologies, torpedoes and
struction timeline stemmed from missiles. Notably, the range of the
payment delays, mainly due to restric- naval version of the BrahMos mis-
tions imposed by Western sanctions sile is planned to increase to 600 km.
on Russia that limited the use of the India’s growing diversification of
global SWIFT interbank system for defense partnerships also demands
financial transactions. Due to the a balanced approach to avoid over-
Russia–Ukraine fallout, India had dependence on any single supplier.
to procure the ship’s engines directly India faces a combination of opportunities and challenges in its defense The legacy of India–Russia defense
from Ukraine, which was redirected cooperation will continue to provide
to Russia to fit onto the warships. indigenization journey (File photo) a strong foundation for further de-
The parallel construction of the fense cooperation. A long-term road-
two frigates at GSL underscores the noise-reducing propeller designs—al- at GSL have not been explained in map encompassing life-cycle support,
increasing confidence in Indian ship- low them to operate with a reduced any official sources. There is a lack of technology adaptation and modular
yards to execute sophisticated naval detection signature. clarity on how indigenous content is upgrades can help sustain such collab-
projects. This dual-site production This makes them particularly ef- calculated—whether by cost, compo- oration well into the future.
strategy allows India to leverage fective for offensive operations, covert nents or subsystems.
Russian technical expertise and re- patrols and escort duties in contested Thirdly, the delayed delivery and CONCLUSION
inforces indigenous shipbuilding ca- maritime zones. Their ability to strike commissioning of Tamal and Tushil
pabilities, marking a significant step at standoff ranges adds a layer of pre- have once again highlighted a critical ndia–Russia defense cooperation
towards self-reliance in defense man- cision and lethality, enhancing India’s vulnerability in India’s defense indus- on stealth frigates has resulted
ufacturing. From a defense industrial deterrence capability, especially in the trial base—the lack of an indigenous Ifrom a long-standing and evolving
standpoint, the Talwar-class frigate Indian Ocean Region. engine for military applications. Air- defense partnership, showcasing the
cooperation offers India a valuable Beyond their combat roles, these craft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), successful integration of Russian en-
learning curve in adapting and inte- frigates have proven their value in ships of the Indian Navy and bat- gineering with India’s strategic needs.
grating complex naval systems—skills shaping India’s maritime diplomacy. tle-tanks of the Indian Army primar- These frigates not only bolster India’s
that would prove crucial in subse- Their regular deployment in naval ex- ily depend on foreign sources for their maritime security capabilities but also
quent projects involving greater do- ercises such as Malabar, INDRA and engines. In this specific case, the four enhance its deterrence posture, en-
mestic production. Varuna underscores India’s commit- frigates are powered by Ukrainian-or- abling the Indian Navy to safeguard
Notably, INS Tushil features an ment to regional security partnerships. igin engines, which increased India’s vital sea lanes and assert its presence
indigenous content of approximately Their presence in the IOR will sym- concerns as the engines could not be in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
26 per cent—twice that of the earlier bolize India’s blue-water aspirations. delivered on time due to the Russia– This serves as a model of resil-
Teg-class frigates. The domestic con- Moreover, it underlines the reliabili- Ukraine conflict, thus delaying the ience in defense ties, navigating the
tribution includes components and ty of Russia as an important defense ship’s delivery. complexities of technological trans-
systems supplied by 33 Indian firms, partner of India, which has helped the Supply chains, access to compo- fer, production challenges and geo-
such as Bharat Electronics Limited, Indian Navy to evolve from a buyer’s nents and payment mechanisms of political shifts. As the global maritime
BrahMos Aerospace (a joint venture navy into a builder’s navy. defense deals are highly vulnerable environment becomes increasingly
between India and Russia), and Nova to geopolitical changes, which can, in contested, the India–Russia defense
Integrated Systems, a wholly owned FUTURE CHALLENGES AND times of crisis, impinge on the strate- relationship will continue to be cru-
subsidiary of Tata Advanced Systems PROSPECTS gic autonomy of a country. India must cial in maintaining bilateral relations
Limited. Some reports suggest that factor in these aspects while dealing as well as in helping India achieve its
INS Tamal may be the last warship s India continues to expand with foreign governments in defense strategic objectives, while maintaining
imported from abroad, underscoring and modernize its naval capa- partnerships. The above situation India’s autonomy to adapt Russian
a potential turning point in India’s na- Abilities, the scope for future leaves space for defense industrial platforms to its needs and engage with
val indigenization journey. collaboration with Russia in the mar- cooperation with foreign countries, other partners.
itime domain remains important as driven more by India’s requirements
OPERATIONAL VALUE FOR THE India faces a combination of oppor- of defense indigenization than the de- Rahul Wankhede is a Research Analyst

INDIAN NAVY tunities and challenges in its defense liberate use of such partnerships as a at the Manohar Parrikar Institute
indigenization journey. foreign policy tool. for Defense Studies and Analyses
NS Tushil was commissioned in While reports mention that the The successful completion of the (MP-IDSA), New Delhi, where he is
service in the IN in December Tamal would be India’s last import- Talwar-class frigates provides another associated with the Defense Economics
I2024, while INS Tamal was com- ed warship, there is no official con- proven template for co-production & Industry Centre.
missioned in July 2025. All frigates firmation. Also, warships/frigates as and technology transfer—elements Views expressed are of the author and
of this class have been allotted to the a whole platform are not mentioned that are central to India’s ‘Atman- do not necessarily reflect the views of
Western Command of the IN. These in any of the Positive Indigenization irbhar Bharat’ initiative. Looking the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the
frigates are designed to perform a Lists. Media reports do not clari- ahead, there are multiple avenues Government of India.
broad spectrum of roles, making them fy whether India would continue to where India–Russia naval coopera-
invaluable assets in peacetime mis- import other types of ships/boats re- tion could deepen. Joint development This article first appeared in the
sions and high-intensity conflict sce- quired by the Navy. Secondly, 26 per of next-generation destroyers, sub- Comments section of the website (www.
narios. The stealth features embed- cent of indigenous content (IC) in marines, amphibious ships, maritime idsa.in) of Manohar Parrikar Institute
ded in these frigates—such as angled the imported frigates and around 56 aircraft and weapon systems with for Defense Studies and Analyses, New
hulls, radar-absorbent coatings and per cent of the two frigates produced greater indigenous content, advanced Delhi, on August 20, 2025

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