Russia starts construction of three frigates for Indian Navy

Russian shipyards here launched full scale construction of three more KRIVAK class stealth frigates to be armed with anti-ship version of BrahMos cruise missiles for the Indian Navy.

Russian shipyards here launched full scale construction of three more KRIVAK class stealth frigates to be armed with anti-ship version of BrahMos cruise missiles for the Indian Navy.

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The three new warships would be delivered to India in 2011-2012, a Russian official said.

The new frigates of Project 1135 have been christened as INS Teg (Sabre), Tarkash (Quiver) and Trikand (Bow) by President Pratibha Patil by a special decree and are follow up order by India under a USD 1.6 billion deal signed in 2007.

"The hulls of the three frigates are ready and are on the launching berth. Equipment has been loaded on two frigates and first of these would be launched later this month," the Yantar Naval shipyard said in a statement.

Earlier, Russia's St. Petersburg based Baltiisky Zavod shipyard had built INS Talwar, INS Trishul and INS Tabar.

The new frigates have been christened.