Russian shipbuilders have been building ships for the Indian Navy since the 1970s. Many of them are still in the fleet. This is written by military expert Peter Suciu in an article for The National Interest.
Suciu recalled that in early July, the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad handed over the frigate Tamal (Project 11356 Talwar) to India. This is the last ship of this class built in Russia for the Indian Navy. The next Project 11356 ships will be built at Goa Shipyard Limited.
Talwar-class frigates can provide anti-ship and anti-submarine defense. They are armed with Kalibr missiles for striking ground targets and engaging aerial targets independently or as part of a naval group. The warships can also carry Ka-27 helicopters.
The Indian Navy operates three of the five Project 61 destroyers (Kashin class) built in the USSR in the 1970s and 1980s. The second largest warship, the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, is a former Soviet cruiser — Admiral Gorshkov.
The aircraft carrier is aging, but India continues to rely on warships developed in Russia.
Before cooperating with the USSR, India bought ships built for the British Royal Navy.
Characteristics of Talwar-class frigates:
- Displacement — 3850 t
- Speed — 30 knots
- Range — 4850 miles
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