Kaliningrad-based Yantar Shipyard has completed state trials of lead ship of a series of 3 Krivak III class guided missiles frigates being built for the Indian Navy, RIA Novosti reports citing the shipyard's spokesman Sergei Mikhailov. The project was designed by United Shipbuilding Corp's Northern Design Bureau.
The newbuilds contract worth $1.6 bn was signed between Russia and India in 2006. The first frigate, the Teg, was scheduled for delivery in April 2011, but funding shortfalls have delayed the work. Two other Talwar class frigates, the Tarkash and the Trikand, are at various phases of construction and testing at the Yantar shipyard.
The series warships are armed with eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, a 100-mm gun, a Shtil surface-to-air missile system, two Kashtan air-defense gun/missile systems, two twin 533-mm torpedo launchers, and an antisubmarine warfare (ASW) helicopter.
Russia has previously built three Talwar class frigates for India - INS Talwar (Sword), INS Trishul (Trident), and INS Tabar (Axe), the news agency said.
Ship's general characteristics:
- Length - 125 m;
- Beam - 15 m;
- Displacement - 4,000 tons;
- Operating range - 5,000 nm;
- Complement - 220.
JSC Baltic Shipbuilding Plant “Yantar” (Amber) was founded on July 8,1945 on the basis of a Koenigsberg unit of German’s Schichau Werft. Yantar Shipyard specializes in building and repairs of warships and civil boats. Throughout the years the Shipyard has built 154 warships and more than 500 merchant vessels. The Russian Government holds majority stake in the shipbuilding firm through Western Center of Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation.