India to Buy Three More Russian Frigates

Vice Premier Dmitry Rogozin reported to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that India was about to purchase three additional Project 11356 frigates, reports ITAR-TASS. According to Rogozin, the parties are negotiating about the contract terms. India decided to buy additional frigates because it was satisfied with the quality of five ships of this class previously delivered to the national navy.

Russia and India signed the contract for the first three Project 11356 frigates late in 90's. First two ships, INS Talwar and INS Trishul joined Indian Navy in Nov 2000, and the third one, INS Tabar – in May 2001. India purchased the second trio of such frigates in 2006 for $1.5 bln. First two ships, INS Teg and INS Tarkash were commissioned into Indian Navy in Apr and Nov 2012 respectively. India expects to receive the last frigate named INS Trikand in June 2013.

Therefore, if India signs a contract for other three Project 11356 frigates, number of such ships within Indian Navy would grow up to nine.

Displacing 4,000 tons and being 124.8-meter long, Project 11356 frigates are capable to accelerate up to 30 knots and have operating range of 4,500 nautical miles. The frigates are equipped with gun mounts, antiaircraft gun/missile systems, torpedo tubes, and antiship missiles Club-N. Ships of the second lot are armed with antiship missile system BrahMos.

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