First frigate built for India to start trials in Feb-March

First of three frigates built for Indian Navy by Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) will be ready for trials in Feb-March 2011, said today Sivathanu Pillai, the executive director of Russian-Indian joint venture company BrahMos Aerospace. 

One ship has been fully equipped; the second one will be also completed in Feb-March, he said. 

According to Mr. Pillai, the shipyard conducts final works to prepare the frigate for trials. He also said that the new ships could launch BrahMos missiles both in the Baltic Sea and in the Indian Ocean when the first frigate arrives there from Russia. This issue is at the Russian Navy's option, said the executive director. 

The shipbuilding contract for three frigates for Indian Navy was signed on July 14, 2007 in Delhi. Overall cost of the contract makes about $1.6 bln. This is the second export contract for Russian frigates tied with India. The first one cost about $1 bln and was signed in Nov 1997. Three ships were built and handed over to Indian Navy – INS Tabar (Axe), INS Trishul (Trident), and INS Talvar (Sword). 

Dimensions and navigability of the frigates currently built at Yantar will have no cardinal differences with those exported to India earlier. The changes are related to armament and onboard equipment. In particular, the new frigates are armed with Russian-Indian cruise missiles BrahMos. 

As was reported, the first ship of new series – INS Teg (Saber) – was launched in Nov 2009, the second one – INS Tarkash (Quiver) – in June 2010. 

Project 11356 guided missile frigates are designed for antisubmarine, antisurface, and antiaircraft defenses. The ship's length is 125 meters; beam is 15 meters; displacement is 4,000 tons; crew is up to 200; fuel range is 4,500 miles.

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India will get frigates on time, all problems are resolvable – an official

Despite some difficulties, frigates built in Kaliningrad for Indian Navy will be delivered to the customer on terms specified in the contract, reported ITAR-TASS citing Alexander Fomin, deputy director of Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) appearing today at the Aero India 2011 international exhibition in Bangalore. 

"The works go on; two ships have been already launched and the third one is being prepared for launching. Of course, there are some minor problems, but we handle them", Fomin said. 

The $1.6 bln shipbuilding contract was tied with India in summer 2006. It is planned to deliver frigates to the customer in 2011-2012. First three Project 1135.6 frigates cost India over $1 bln and were built by Baltiysky Zavod. Ships were delivered in 2003-2004, one year behind the schedule. 

Yantar shipyard won India's tender for other three frigates. The first one was launched in Nov 2009, the second one – in June 2010. Indian president Prateebha Patil gave names to the ships – INS Teg (Saber), INS Tarkash (Quiver), and INS Trikand (Bow) – which were laid down in 2007-2008. 

Frigates of this series are multipurpose warships. They are designed for antisubmarine, antisurface and antiaircraft defenses, and are the first ships to be armed with Russian-Indian supersonic cruise missile system BrahMos.

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Yantar shipyard to complete landing ship Ivan Gren in 2012

Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad) plans to deliver Project 11711 large landing ship Ivan Gren to Russian Navy in 2012, reports press service of JSCArmalit-1 which produces pipeline accessories for the ship. As for now, 89 per cent items have been already supplied in accordance with the contract, says the press release. The ship's completion will last throughout 2011. 

The ship is designed for landing operations, transportation of combat vehicles and equipment. Ivan Gren is capable to carry 13 main battle tanks (up to 60 tons each), or armored personnel carriers/infantry fighting vehicles (up to 36), or 300 marines. 

JSC Armalit-1 produces shipborne fittings and offer mechanical treatment services.

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Yantar shipyard launches Indian frigate in March

Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad, Russia) plans to launch third frigate [last in series] for Indian Navy in mid-March, reported yesterday RIA Novosticiting Sergei Mikhailov, the shipyard's press secretary. 

"Technically, the ship is being prepared for launching in mid-March; this is the last of three ships of 'Indian' project 11356, she is called Trikand which means "Bow", said Mikhailov. 

Yantar has been building second series of frigates [in Russian classification – escort ships] for Indian Navy since 2006. First two ships – Teg ("Saber") and Tarkash ("Quiver") – have been already launched. 

The project was developed by Severnoye Design Bureau which subordinates to the United Shipbuilding Corporation. 

Project 11356 frigates are designed for antiship, antisubmarine, and antiaircraft defenses. The ship's length is 125 meters; beam is 15 meters; displacement is 4,000 tons; fuel range is 5,000 miles; crew is 220 men. 

Baltic shipyard Yantar was established on July 8, 1945 on the facilities of German yard F. Schichau. The shipyard was registered as JSC Yantar in 1996; it specializes in construction of small- and medium-size warships and civil vessels, as well as conducting ship repair works. 

Through 65-year history, the yard has built 154 warships and over 500 civil vessels. Currently, major shareholder of JSC Yantar is state-led JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation.

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