India Interested in Producing Frigates Jointly With Russia

The Indian government expressed interest to jointly produce project 11356 frigates on its territory, Oleg Shumakov, director of the Yantar Shipyard, told RIA Novosti.

From 2003 to 2013, Russia delivered to India six frigates of project 11356 which were built at the Baltiysky Zavod in St. Petersburg and at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad. The first three vessels were equipped with Klub-N cruise missiles; the others were armed with BrahMos cruise missiles of Russian-Indian production.

"After we completed a series of three Indian orders, we hoped that India would continue partnership. What is more, the Indian Defense Ministry said the county’s navy needed three-four more vessels of that class. Currently, they are examining a scenario to produce such ships at home, of course, with our participation and under our guidance," Shumakov said.

He also noted that frigates which are planned to be built in India will equipped with more advanced weapons than actual vessels of the project.

"According to our plan, those ships will be of the same class, but with different weapons. Weaponry progresses non-stop, so, I think, the new vessel will be equipped with something more advanced. However, as for its seagoing capabilities, it will be the same. Now we are consulting with our Indian colleagues on all the aspects of the project," Shumakov added.

Frigates of project 11356 are armed to fight against surface warships and submarines as well as to repel aerial attacks — both separately and in formation.

They are equipped with versatile missiles, artillery guns and advanced radio-technical devices for anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defense.

Vessels of the project have a displacement of nearly 4,000 tons, a length of 125 meters, a speed of 30 knots (56 kmh), and a crew of 180.