India Takes Over Russian-Built Frigate

09.11.2012 Indian Navy on Nov 9 received frigate INS Tarkash, the second out of three-ship series built by JSC Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad, Russia), said the yard's press secretary Sergei Mikhailov.

The handover ceremony was attended by high-ranking representatives of Indian embassy and Joint Naval Staff, directors of Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation, Federal Service for Military Industrial Cooperation, FSUE Rosoboronexport and representatives of regional authorities, specified Mikhailov.

Indian Navy ordered three frigates to be constructed in Yantar. INS Tarkash is the second of them. The first frigate, INS Teg was handed over to Indian Navy on Apr 27, 2012. The third ship, INS Trikand is undergoing dockside trials. She will be delivered to the orderer in the summer 2013.

Construction of frigates started in 2006 under the project developed by Severnoye Design Bureau. Three analogous Talwar-class frigates were built at Baltiysky Zavod shipyard (St. Petersburg) and were commissioned into Indian Navy in 2003-2004.

Project 11356 frigates are designed for antisubmarine/antiaircraft/antiship warfare. Talwar-class frigates displace 4,000 tons; their crew is 220 men; fuel range is 5,000 nautical miles; armament includes BrahMos antiship missiles jointly designed by Russia and India, reports RIA Novosti.

JSC Yantar Shipyard was incorporated in 1996 and is subordinated to United Shipbuilding Corporation. It is specialized in construction of light and intermediate tonnage vessels for military and civil purposes, as well as ship repair works.