Ukrainian engines for its stealth frigates, sent to shipbuilder in Russia
Dated : 20 Jan 2021 (IST)
Gas turbine engines from Ukraine have been procured and handed over to Russia to install them on the Admiral Grigorovich-class guided-missile stealth frigates that are being made for the Indian Navy by a Russian shipyard as part of Rs 19000 crore deal.
The construction of the two frigates by Yantar Shipyard in Russia’s Kaliningrad is going on according to schedule, and the first of the two is expected to be delivered by the end of 2022.
The second vessel is scheduled to be delivered six months later in 2023.
The new ships will have 22 new systems, including navigation, communication and weapon systems.
“The engines from Ukraine have been delivered to Russia. The construction of the ship is as per schedule and there has been no impact due to Covid,” said a source.
The delivery of the engines, manufactured by Ukrainian firm Zorya-Mashproyekt, was also confirmed.
Following Crimea’s reunification with Russia in 2014, its ties with Ukraine soured badly and Moscow had stopped importing the engines from the Ukranian manufacturer.
India had to, therefore, procure and transfer the same to Russia, which also needed Ukranian permission that was given in 2016.
India had in 2016 inked an inter-governmental agreement with Russia for four frigates, a follow-on of the Talwar-class vessels, and its contract was signed at the end of 2018.
According to the deal, two ships are being built in Russia, while the other two are being built at the Goa Shipyard in India with technical collaboration from Russia.
The Yantar Shipyard had also earlier manufactured three of the six Talwar-class frigates that are in service with the Indian Navy.
Admiral Grigorovich-class ships are an upgraded variant of the Talwar-class frigates that were built between 2003 and 2013.
The hulls for the two ships had already been cut for the Russian Navy, but remained mothballed for several years.
The Americans as usual have been throwing tantrums over the Frigate deal, Giving Out Their FAMOUS sanctions threats.
The funny part is that the American Administration wants India to appeal to the American Senate for grant of a Waiver. Well as far as India is concerned, the Senate is free to give such waivers to Pakistan or any such others. India is not bothered.
