Russia begins mounting of weapons on stealth frigate for India

Russia has launched the process of installing weapons on the first of three stealth frigates being constructed by it for India at a Kaliningrad-based naval shipyard under the $1.6 billion deal signed in 2007.

"Two torpedo units are being installed on the Teg frigate, which was launched on November 27. The works are on schedule. The Teg has been armed with a BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile battery," Sergei Mikhailov, the spokesman of Yantar shipyard where the frigates are under construction, was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.

The three 'Talwar' class stealth frigates of Project 1135.6 were christened by President Pratibha Patil - INS Teg (sabre), Tarkash (quiver) and Trikand (bow), continuing with the Indian naval tradition of naming warship of the same class beginning with same letter.

Earlier, Russia's St Petersburg-based Baltiisky Zavod shipyard had built INS Talwar, INS Trishul and INS Tabar.

The first ship is 70 per cent ready and will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2011, while two other frigates would be handed over in 2012.