Kaliningrad: The first of the three follow-on Talwar-class, or the Krivak IV class, frigates under construction at the Yantar shipyard in the Russian exclave at Kaliningrad has been 'floated-out' at a solemn ceremony, the shipyard said. The stealth frigate has been designated INS Teg.

Its sister ships, INS Tarkash and Trikand, are also under various stages of construction at the shipyard.

Present at the floating out ceremony of the frigate were Mrs Radhika Lal Lokesh, consul general of India at Saint Petersburg, the naval attache in Russia, Felix Lapin, administration chief of Kaliningrad, admiral Chirkov, commander–in-chief of the Baltic fleet as well as representatives of Rosoboronexport.

On the occasion, all speakers emphasised the importance of the order not just for Russian-Indian defence cooperation, but also for Russian shipbuilding, the Kaliningrad region and the Shipyard Yantar in particular.

The director general of the shipyard, Igor Orlov, was very happy with the float-out and said, ''In spite of all difficulties we have done it.''

Apart from shipyard workers, their families too attended the ceremony.

INS Teg becomes the fourth ship of the 1135.6 series of Krivak III, and modified Krivak IV, stealth vessels. The earlier three vessels, INS Talwar (from which the class takes its name for the Indian Navy) INS Trishul and INS Tabar, have already been commissioned.

INS Teg will be followed by INS Tarkash and INS Trikand.

In accordance with Indian traditions Mrs Radhika Lal Lokesh broke a coconut to mark the auspicious occasion of the launch of the frigate. This was followed by the breaking of a bottle of champagne in accordance with Russian customs.

INS Teg was laid down at JSC Shipyard Yantar on 27.July 2007 and will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2011.