The government has approved acquisition of three stealth frigates with state-of-the-art equipment and associated package from Russia.
The frigates are expected to be delivered during 2011-12, Defence Pranab Mukherjee told the Rajya Sabha adding, the induction of these platforms would appreciably augment the power of the Indian Navy.
A contract was signed with M/s Rosoboronexport, Russia, on 14 July, 2006, for the acquisition of three frigates each costing $332 million (Rs 1482.38 crore), Mukherjee said in a written reply.
They would be fully equipped according to the navy's requirements and would be different from INS Prahar, which was smaller than these ships and of a different type, he said.
The defence minister said the decision to induct the three ships was based on the experience of navy gained in terms of reliability and dependability of the three stealth frigates already inducted.
Replying to another question, Mukherjee said contracts and supplementary agreements were signed with Russia on July 20, 2004, for the induction of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshakov, which is currently undergoing necessary repairs/modifications in Russia.
The ship, available to Indian Navy for 20 years, would be named 'Vikramaditya' after its induction into Indian Navy.
