Indian company to build ships for Rosoboronexport

( Rusnavy) : Indian private Pipavav Shipyard will be engaged in construction of ships under the order of Rosoboronexport, reports The Economic Times. Volume of first orders which would be possibly placed at the shipyard is evaluated as INR 80 bln ($1.8 bln). Presumably, the yard will start building of new ships in 2011.

Pipavav Shipyard signed a letter of understanding with Rosoboronexport on Dec 9, 2010 providing that the company will construct Russian-designed ships for third countries, reports India Infoline. Besides, the document also implies mid-term upgrade, overhaul, and remanufacturing of Indian Navy's ships and submarines.

As reported by MoneyControl, the document provides license transfer for construction of four stealth frigates to Pipavav Shipyard. Three similar ships have been already built by Russia under India's order. It was not specified what kind of frigates are meant. Russia's Baltiysky Zavod shipyard built three Project 11356 frigates for India and has already delivered them to the orderer. Two analogous frigates are being completed by Yantar shipyard; the third ship was recently launched.

According to the World Arms Trade Analytic Center, cost of one stealth frigate built by Pipavav will make INR 80-90 bln, and the company will be workloaded for further ten years.