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.
READ MORE: India Opens Fast-Track Single Window Mechanism for Russian Firms
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.
READ MORE: India Continues to Import Iranian Crude; Payments to be Made in Rupees
"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.