3 Russian warships to be delivered in 2011-2012

New Delhi, Aug 2: Three Russian stealth frigates costing 332 million dollars each would be delivered to India by 2011-2012 and the Russian warship ''Admiral Gorshkov'' by 2008, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today.

A contract was signed with Rosoboronexport Russia on 14th July for the aquistion of these war ships.

The ships would be fully equipped according to navy's staff requirements, the Defence Minister said a in a written reply in the Upper House.

The Minister said they are different from INS Prahar which was smaller than these ships and of a different type. The decision to induct the three ships was based on the experiences of navy gained in terms of reliability and dependability of the three stealth frigates already inducted.

Also, contracts and supplementary agreements were signed with Russia on January 20, 2004 for the induction of aircraft carrier ''Admiral Gorshkov''. The aircraft carrier is undergoing necessary repairs and modifications in Russia at present and the ship will be renamed ''Vikramaditya'' after its induction into the Indian navy.

The ship would be available to the navy for over 20 years after its repairs and refurbishment in Russia which the Minister said would enhance the defensive and offensive capability of the navy.

The cost of repair and refurbishment of the carrier is 974.28 million dollars and will be scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2008.

UNI