New Delhi (Sputnik): India has inked the final contract with Russia for the purchase of two frigates equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for $950 million. According to the deal signed last week, the two Talwar-class/Project 11356 frigates will be shipped directly to India.
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The two frigates which are almost fully built at Russia's Yantar Shipyard at Kaliningrad, will be equipped with M7N.1E gas turbine engines from Ukraine, for which India has already inked a separate agreement.
"Given that the US has implemented sanctions on weapons purchases from Moscow, India could make payments for the ships using the rupee-ruble route," the Economic Times reported.
On October 25, Sputnik had reported that India was making a strong case before Russia to avoid payments in US dollars for the purchase of goods, including defense equipment. Sources told Sputnik that a senior government official at the country's Ministry of External Affairs met Russian officials last week, and discussions were held at length about payments for Russian imports.
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"India wants to finalize arrangements with Russia for imports, including payment for the S-400 Triumf air defense system, very soon," a person familiar with the development told Sputnik.
