Indian ambassador to launch warship "Trishul"

Indian ambassador to launch warship "Trishul"
Dadan Upadhyay

Moscow, Nov 23 : Indian ambassador to Moscow, Satinder Kumar Lambah will ceremonially launch the keel of multi-role warship Trishul, at Baltissky Zavod shipyard in St Petersburg, on Friday, in the presence of region's powerful governor Alexander Yakovlev, Indian and Russian top navyofficials.

Trishul is the second of three frigates India ordered in 1997 to be builtby Russia, under a deal signed by Rosvooryzheniye, Russia's ex-arms exportagency and, the Indian Defence Ministry, after a visit by former DefenceMinister Mulayam Singh Yadav to Moscow.

The three frigates, known as the Project-1136, at a total cost of $1 billion, are the upgraded version of the 4,000-ton Krivak-class warship with a top speed of 55 km per hour. They are reported to be superior to any foreign-built battleships in its class.

Construction of the Talwar, first of the series, is already underway at the Baltissky Zavod shipbuilding company. It is expected to be commissioned in 2002. Trishul will be commissioned in 2003.

The Toofan, the third frigate, under the deal, is expected to be launched sometime next year. All the frigates, will have their prefix "INS" added to their names, when they are formally commissioned.

When finally delivered to India, the frigates are expected to substantially enhance Indian navy's striking capability, turning it into a "Blue Water" navy in the 21st century, experts said.

The frigates, already about two years behind the schedule because of the financial problems in the Baltissky Zavod, have especially been designed tocarry the naval version of the Prithvi missile, enabling them to fire right inside the enemy land from the deep sea.

They will also have the latest anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons andwill accommodate an onboard reconnaissance helicopter.