Russian Technical Experts To Arrive In India By Year-End To Build $1.2 Billion Talwar Frigates

Russian technical experts are expected to reach India by the end of this year or in early 2020, to help the Indian side kick-start a part of the $2.15 billion (INR 14,700 crore) project, to build two BrahMos-equipped Talwar-class frigates, at Goa Shipyard.

“Goa Shipyard is ready for implementation of the contract. We will be sending our technical experts there by the end of this year or early next year to help start the project,” ET reported, quoting Efimov Eduard, general director of Yantar Shipyard, as saying Thursday.

India signed two contracts- $950 million (INR 6,500 crore) deal with Russia’s Yantar Shipyard for two Project 11356 frigates, and another $1.2 billion (INR 8,200 crore) contract with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for two more.

The contract with the Russian ship-maker was lower because it has the hulls ready. Yantar had already fabricated two hulls for an abandoned Russian order that are being transferred. Also, the Goa yard will need to create infrastructure and obtain technology transfer to commence the work. As many as 22 indigenous systems have to be installed on the frigates that include navigation systems, weapons and sensors.

“We will take an active part in the implementation to make two more ships from the scratch at the Goa shipyard. We will provide full technical assistance to the Indian yard for that,” Eduard added.

Moscow began working to build the ships in April of this year, and will deliver them to the Indian Navy by 2022, provided the Indian side clears dues for the warships and procures key components to commence full-scale work on the frigates.

“Yantar Shipyard will deliver the two ships to the Indian Navy by 2022 as per the plans. The advance payment for the work to commence is likely to arrive this month. The gas turbine engines that are to be fitted on the ships will be supplied by India before the end of this year,” the general director of the Russian shipyard said.

The warships will feature indigenous surface surveillance radars, the HUMSA NG hull mounted sonar and the Brahmos anti shipping and land attack missiles. The Project 11356 frigates are designed to deliver strikes against enemy surface ships and submarines in the coastal and oceanic zones and fight air targets both independently and as part of a naval group. The warships of this type are armed with A-190 100mm artillery guns, striking missile and air defence systems, including Kalibr and Shtil complexes and torpedo tubes. The frigates displace 3,620 tonnes, are 124.8 meters long, develop a speed of 30 knots and have an operating range of 4,850 miles. The frigates can carry a Ka-27 helicopter and its modification.

Source:DW

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