Krivak class stealth frigates
Context:
- The first of two additional Krivak class stealth frigates being built by Russia is expected to be delivered to India in the middle of 2023.
Background:
- In October 2016, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for four Krivak or Talwar class stealth frigates.
- Two to be procured directly from Russia and two to be built by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) — after which a $1-billion deal was signed for the direct purchase.
- The procurement of the frigates will involve a rupee-rouble transaction instead of using U.S. dollars to avoid American sanctions on Russian defense companies under CAATSA, or the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
- India will also buy 70,000 assault rifles from Russia.
- The 4,000-ton Krivak III vessels will also accommodate two multirole helicopters and will be used for anti-submarine and airborne early warning missions.
- India has already built seven basic versions of Krivak-class stealth frigates under the Navy’s Project 17A scheme at state-owned shipyards Mazagon Dock Limited, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.
- The Indian Navy currently has a fleet strength of 140 warships, with plans to increase that number to 198 by 2027.
- Indian Navy currently operates six Krivak class frigates weighing around 4,000 tonnes procured in two different batches.
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