Krivak Stealth Frigates

• 22 Jun 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff has inaugurated the construction of the second frigate of the Krivak or Talwar class.

• The construction of the first ship was laid in January, 2021. It would be delivered in 2026 and the second ship after six months.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • The Krivak class stealth ships are being built with technology transfer from Russia by Goa Shipyard Ltd. (GSL) under ‘Make in India’. Engines for the ships are supplied by Ukraine.
    
    • In October 2016, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for four Krivak or Talwar stealth frigates.
    • The first two frigates will be built in Yantar Shipyard, in Kaliningrad, Russia. The following two will be built in GSL.
  • The new Krivak frigates will have the same engines and armament configuration as Yantar’s last three frigates - INS Teg, Tarkash and Trikand. These will be armed with BrahMos anti-ship and land attack missiles.
• Use:
  
  • They are primarily used to accomplish a wide variety of naval missions such as finding and eliminating enemy submarines and large surface ships.
• Existing Frigates:
  
  • The navy already operates six Krivak III frigates. The first three joined the fleet between June 2003 and April 2004, followed by another three between April 2012 and June 2013. With the current contract, the navy will operate 10 Krivak frigates.

India-Russia Defence Relation

• About:
  
  • Defence cooperation is an important pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership.
  • The two Defence Ministers meet annually, alternately in Russia and India, to discuss and review the status of ongoing projects and other issues of military technical cooperation.
  • As India has been spreading its supplier base with Israel, US and France, Russia still remains a major supplier.
  • The two sides are successfully moving towards the implementation of an AK-203 rifle contract and 200 Ka-226T utility helicopter supplies.
  • According to a paper published by Stimson Center, 86% of the equipment, weapons and platforms currently in military service in India are of Russian origin.
• Joint Exercises:
  
  • Exercise INDRA, is a joint, tri services exercise between India and Russia.
• Russia's Military Equipment Deployed by India:
  
  • Navy:
    
    • The Navy's only active aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is from Russia. A nuclear attack submarine Chakra II is also in service.
  • Army:
    
    • Army’s T-90 and T-72 main battle tanks.
    • S-400 Triumf missile system.
  • Air Force:
    
    • IAF’s Su30 MKI fighter.

Source: TH