Shivalik-class frigates ready for trial

The first of the three Shivalik-class stealth frigates being built at Mazagon Dock here is ready for sea trial in March-April and it would be delivered to the Indian Navy in the next few months.

The first of the three Shivalik-class stealth frigates being built at Mazagon Dock here is ready for sea trial in March-April and it would be delivered to the Indian Navy in the next few months.

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"We are taking the frigate for sea trials after March. We may deliver them either before the monsoon or after," an official of Mazagon Dock told PTI.

"Delivery of the frigate during the monsoon will not be appropriate," the official said.

The dock has begun work on the second and third frigates, too. The company expects to finish and deliver the remaining frigates by 2010, the official said.

The building of the Shivalik was launched in 2003 and the rest at 2004 and 2005 as part of Project 17--Centre's indigenous programme to build mutli-role surface ships.

The stealth frigate is designed to avoid enemy radars and works on principles of reducing the ship's signature. The ship is fitted with a mix of Indian, Russian and Western weaponry systems along with both air defence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.