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Russia hands over frigate Trikand to India
July 2, 2013, 11:44 am

[Xinhua]

India and Russia share a 45-year history of military-technical cooperation in the naval field [Xinhua]

Russia’s state-run arm exporter Rosoboronexport has handed over the Trikand frigate to the Indian Navy.

“The sides have signed a Certificate of Acceptance transferring the ship to the Indian crew and the Indian Navy Flag was raised on board the ship”, Rosoboronexport’s press statement says.

The handover also completes the $1.6 billion contract between Rosoboronexport and the Indian Navy, delivering the last ship in a series of three frigates.

Russia handed the first two ships Tag (Saber) and Tarkash (Quiver) in April and August last year.

The Project 11356 frigate Trikand (Bow) is designed to fight against enemy surface ships and submarines, repel air attacks, and is armed with the BrahMos cruise missile system manufactured by a Russo-Indian joint venture.

“Project 11356 frigates have been successfully serving with the Indian Navy for ten years. They have substantially enhanced the combat capabilities of the fleet and are capable of solving a wide range of tasks. Moreover, Russian developers keep ongoing efforts to improve them,” Rosoboronexport’s Director General Anatoly Isaykin said.

Isaykin added that Russia is ready to build an additional series of three to four ships of this type.

India is Russia’s largest arms importer, with over 70 per cent of India’s purchases coming from Russia.

The two countries also share a 45-year history of military-technical cooperation in the naval field.

The former Soviet Union and then Russia have built more than 70 warships for India.

Daria Chernyshova with inputs from Agencies