New batch of IN stealth frigates to be delivered on-time: Russia

Moscow: Russia will deliver three stealth frigates worth $1.6 billion to the Indian Navy (IN) in line with the "contract deadline" of 2012, a senior official of a Russian shipyard has said. He was speaking on the sidelines of the 4th International Maritime Defence Show in St. Petersburg.

"The contract's deadline is 2012. We are not expecting any delays at this point," said Igor Orlov, director general of the Kaliningrad-based Yantar shipyard. "Russia will fulfil its obligations on schedule to supply three Project 1135.6 frigates to India by 2012,'' he said.

"The first ship will be floated out this year, the second, probably, in spring 2010, and the third - a bit later," Orlov said. A RIA Novosti report also quoted him as saying that the Indian government had provided 'sufficient and timely' project financing.

Orlov's assurance needs to understood in the light of reports emerging in February of this year which suggested that there was a likelihood of delays in this project.

''The contract deadlines are very tough and there were indeed some disruptions in the construction,'' Rosoboronexport's general director Anatoly Isaikin said in a February interview with a Russian defence magazine.

''It took some time to deal with the problems. After additional work and testing were carried out, there were no complaints with regard to the frigate. Moreover, talks are being held for an additional order of this type of combat vessel,'' Isaikin said.