Indian Navy contnues expansion

Adding to its stealth capabilities, the Indian Navy is on the verge of ordering three more 4,000 tonne Talwar-class frigates from Russia in a deal that could cost upwards of $650 million. Equipped with the 200-km range Klub cruise missiles, the first three such frigates, INS Talwar, INS Trishul and INS Tabar, entered into service in the Navy in 2003-2004. With deliveries beginning in two to three years of the signing of the contract, the new frigates will be armed with the 300-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The frigates will be customised to Indian requirements and will be fitted with sonar devices.

The Navy is aggressively ramping up its war-waging capabilities by acquiring more warships. As many as 33 warships were under different stages of production in public sector shipyards, with the 37,500-tonne aircraft carrier project at Cochin Shipyard being the biggest.