By Rohit Srivastava

India and Russia, on November 20, signed a contract for two built-in-India Grigorovich class (Project 11356P/M) advanced guided missile frigates. The frigates will be constructed at the government owned Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). This is a follow on contract to the last month’s deal for import of the two Russian built vessels of the same class. The Grigorovich class is an advanced Talwar class frigate.

Indian Navy operates six Talwar class ships.

According to sources, the contract which covers transfer of technology, training and materials for the ship construction will cost around $500 million including $50 million for training of the GSL personnel. Separate contracts will be signed for procurement of the ship’s sub-systems.

As reported earlier, In 2016, an Intergovernmental Agreement was signed between India and Russia for a 2+2 scheme where two ships were to come from Russia while the other two to be built in India. In March 2017, the technical details were finalized and India nominated  Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) to build these vessels.  

Reportedly, GSL, during the Euro Naval, spoke to Russian agency TASS and said that the first home built ship will be delivered to Indian Navy in 2023. 

In the last month’s contract, Russia will provide the two ships minus the Brahmos missiles - which will be fitted in India at GSL, and the Ukrainian Zorya-Mashproekt manufactured DS-71 engine, for which India has signed a separate contract with Ukraine.  The first ship is expected to arrive around 2020.