Stealth frigates from Russia to be delivered in September 2024, February 2025

Stealth frigates from Russia to be delivered in September 2024, February 2025

Subject: Science and tech

Sec: Defence

Context:

In October 2016, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement for the four stealth frigates, two directly imported and two to be manufactured by Goa Shipyard Limited.

More about News:

• After a series of delays, two stealth frigates (Krivak or Talwar-class stealth frigates) under construction in Russia for the Indian Navy are set to be delivered soon beginning Construction and deliveries were delayed due to COVID, war in Ukraine and western sanctions.
• First ship Tushil is ready for acceptance by the Indian Navy and is scheduled to be delivered by September. 
• The second ship Tamal is expected to be delivered by February 2025.
• A $1-billion deal was subsequently signed for the two frigates under direct purchase. In November 2018, the GSL signed a $500 mn deal with Rosoboronexport of Russia for material, design and specialist assistance to locally manufacture the two frigates, and in January 2019, the contract was signed between the Indian Defence Ministry and GSL. All the four ships are powered by engines from Zorya-Mashproekt of Ukraine.
• As per schedule, GSL is scheduled to deliver the first ship in 2026 and the second one six months later.
• The basic structures of two frigates were lying at Yantar shipyard in Russia which were punched by India. They are now being finished. The Indian Navy already operates six of these frigates weighing around 4,000 tonnes each.

Frigates:

• A frigate is a type of warship. In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied. The name frigate in the 17th to early 18th centuries was given to any full-rigged ship built for speed and manoeuvrability, intended to be used in scouting, escort and patrol roles.

INS Tushil:

• It is the first Krivak-III frigate to be acquired under Project 11356M.
• Project 11356M:
  • India in October, 2016 signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia to purchase/construct four additional Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356M) frigates through a partnership between Russian and Indian shipyards. 
  • Russia will supply two of the frigates (INS Tushil and INS Tamala), while the other two will be constructed in India.
  • The Talwar-class frigates, or Project 11356, are a class of stealth-guided missile frigates.
  • Under the IGA, Russia would provide technical assistance in setting up production of 11356 project frigates in India.
  • The construction of the ships is based on the Indian Navy’s specific requirements to meet the entire spectrum of naval warfare in all three dimensions of air, surface, and sub-surface.
• Features:
  • These ships feature “stealth technology” in terms of low radar and underwater noise signatures.
  • These ships are being equipped with major Indian-supplied equipment such as surface-to-surface missiles, sonar systems, surface surveillance radar, communication suites, and anti-submarine warfare systems, along with Russian surface-to-air missiles and gun mounts.
  • The frigates are designed to fight submarines and warships in brown and blue waters and repel air attacks both independently and within formations.
  • The displacement is 3620 tons, the length is 124.8 meters. The full speed is 30 knots, and the cruising range is 4850 miles.