The Indian Navy is to receive the second of three Talwar-class warships, INS Tarkash (F46), at the Baltic Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, the Yantar Shipyard spokesman Sergei Mikhailov said.
In August, the frigate successfully completed sea trials off the Baltic Sea, validating its shipboard and weapon systems ; this was followed in September by docking and examination at the Yantar shipyard, Russia.
In July 2006, India signed a $1.6bn contract with Russia to build additional three Talwar-class frigates, INS Teg (F45), INS Tarkash (F46), and INS Trikand (F50), as reported by RIA Novosti.
The three additional frigates will be deployed with existing warships of the same class, INS Talwar (sword), INS Trishul (trident) and INS Tabar (axe), to support operations for the Indian Navy.
The 4,000t modified version of the Krivak III-class frigates are 126m-long, capable of cruising at a maximum speed of 30k and can accommodate a crew of 313.
Integrated with Trebovaniye-M combat information and control system and powered by combined gas turbine propulsion systems, the frigates are armed with an eight-cell 3S14E vertical missile launcher for 3M-54E Klub-N anti-ship missiles, as well as two Kashtan Air Defence close-in weapon systems.
Armed with eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, the new frigates feature an AK-190 100mm naval gun and a Shtil-1 medium-range surface-to-air missile system.
Additional weaponry includes two Kashtan air defence gun/missile systems and an anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
The Indian Navy inducted INS Teg in April, while INS Trikandis is currently undergoing trials prior to its scheduled delivery in June 2013.
Image: Indian Navy’s second Talwar-class frigate, INS Tabar conducting mission. Photo: Indiannavy.nic.in
