Updated on Friday, June 26, 2009, 19:53 IST

Moscow, June 26: Russia will deliver three stealth frigates worth USD 1.6 billion to the Indian Navy in line with the "contract deadline" of 2012, an official has said.

"The contract's deadline is 2012. We are not expecting any delays at this point," General Director of the Kaliningrad based 'Yantar' shipyard, Igor Orlov said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 4th International Maritime Defence Show in St. Petersburg Orlov underscored, "Russia will fulfil its obligations on schedule to supply three Project 11356 frigates to India by 2012.

The first warship will be launched this year, the second, probably, in spring 2010, and the third - a bit later."

He added the Indian government had provided 'sufficient and timely' project financing, Ria Novosti reported.

Situated in the Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad the naval shipyard "Yantar" is building three Project 11356 Krivak IV class guided missile frigates for the Indian Navy.

Earlier, three stealth frigates of this class - INS Talwar, INS Trishul and INS Tabar were built in St Petersburg's Baltiisk Zavod shipyard and delivered two years behind schedule.

Last October, deputy chief of the naval staff, Vice Adm. Raman P Suthan, had inspected the construction at the 'Yantar' and was reported to be satisfied at the pace of their construction.

The new frigates will be armed with eight Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missile systems in place of the Club-N/3M54TE missile systems on the three previous frigates of this class also known as "Talwar Class".

Bureau Report