New Delhi, October 29: India has signed a $950 –million with Russia to purchase two new warships equipped with Brahmos missiles for the Indian Navy, reported The Economic Times. Meanwhile, the contract to build two more frigates at an Indian yard under the Project 11356 class will be signed later. According to the report, the deal was signed last week, but the final clearance came earlier this month before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the country to attend 19th India-Russia bilateral summit. India, Russia To Conclude Deals On Frigates And Kalashnikovs In 2-3 Months Despite US Sanctions, Says Russian Ambassador

Taking into consideration the United States’ Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) against Russia, India could make payments for the ships using the rupee-rouble route. The entire deal worth $ 2.2 billion is under ’2+2’ scheme. There will be a transfer of technology for constructing the remaining two ships. Russia will deliver the two ships by 2022. The ships have been designed to work with Ukraine-made gas turbines. According to the report, gas turbines will be fitted to the ships to be directly purchased from Russia at the local yard as the order for turbines has been placed directly by New Delhi with Ukraine. S-400 Defence Deal: 'CAATSA Is To Impose Costs On Russia And Not For Allies Like India', Says US

The state-owned Goa Shipyard will construct the ships which are to be built in India.  The Indian-made warships are likely to cost 30-50% more than the other two ships. India already operates six of the Talwar-class frigates. The first three warships of this class were inducted between June 2003 and April 2004, while the next group of three warships was inducted between April 2012 and June 2013.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 29, 2018 10:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).