Indian MoD awarded Goa Shipyard Ltd contract for 2 Talwar frigates.

On January 30, the Indian Ministry of Defense has concluded a contract with state-owned Goa Shipyard Limited to build 2 Russian advanded Talwar-class frigates (Project 1135.6) and to provide those to the Indian Navy. These 2 frigates will be constructed with a partial transfer of technology from Russia.

Three project 11356 frigates (Talwar-class) of the Indian Navy - from left to right: F 51 Trikand, F 44 Tabar and F 45 Teg (Picture source : Indian Navy)

The two frigates constructed with a partial transfer of technology from Russia would make these platforms the largest fleet of ships in a class showcasing domestically-produced equipment such as the BrahMos missile system, sonar system, and combat management system.

While the inter-governmental agreement (IGA) between India and Russia was signed on 15 October 2016, the final deal for construction of the two Admiral Grigorovich class/advanced Talwar-class guided-missile frigates at Goa Shipyard under the technology transfer model was concluded last November. Now, the Indian government has finalised procedures with Goa Shipyard Limited to begin the production of the 2 vessels. The first ship is scheduled to be handed over to the Navy by June 2026, while the second one will be delivered in December that year.

The frigates are potent platforms with a mission span covering the entire spectrum of naval warfare; air, surface and sub-surface. The ships would be equipped to operate in littoral and blue waters; both as a single unit and as consorts to a naval task force. Project 11356 frigates are designed to deliver strikes against adversary surface ships and submarines both in brown and green waters and fight air targets. The warships are armed with A-190 100mm artillery guns, strike missile and air defense systems, including Kalibr and Shtil complexes and torpedoes. The displacement is 3620 tons. The frigates are 124.8 meters long, develop a speed of 30 knots and have an operating range of 4850 miles.

"The ships would carry highly sophisticated and state-of-art weapon systems and sensors," said a senior defence ministry official. "Advanced features of stealth include a special hull design, to limit radar cross-section, low electromagnetic, infrared and underwater noise signatures. The ships would carry highly sophisticated and state-of-art weapon systems and sensors", the defence ministry statement added.