Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / SOUTH ASIA
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Thursday, 6 July 2006, 14:52 GMT 15:52 UK

India agrees Russia warship order

The Russian-built frigate INS Talwar India has agreed to buy three more stealth warships and 28 cruise missiles from Russia for more than $1bn.

The frigates will be delivered in five years time, Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after the cabinet had cleared the deal.

Delhi purchased three similar frigates from Russia in the 1990s.

India remains one of the world's biggest arms importers and has one of the largest navies, with at least 25 warships and 16 submarines.

Earlier deal

The warships on order weigh 4,000 tonnes each and cannot be easily tracked by radar.

Mr Mukherjee said contracts still had to be signed with Russian builders for the new frigates.

He said the decision to buy the frigates was a follow-up order to warships bought in the 1990s.

India's navy took delivery of its first Russian-built "stealth" warship in 2003.

The INS Talwar was the first of three Krivak class frigates commissioned from Russia in another deal worth $1bn.

Military officials have said in the future India hopes to build most naval ships at its own shipyards, although Delhi will still buy equipment from foreign countries, particularly Russia.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
India receives 'stealth' warship (18 Jun 03 |  South Asia )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Indian Navy
Russian Navy
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©