INS Tarkash to anchor at Salalah port

INS Tarkash, the second of the three stealth Frigates under construction at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia, is scheduled for a halt at Salalah from December 22 to 23. The ship will be open for visit by Omani and Indian nationals from 10:00 – 13:00 hours on Sunday, December, 23.

The ship was commissioned and inducted into the Indian Navy by vice -admiral Shekhar Kumar Sinha, flag officer commanding-in-chief, Western Naval Command on November 9, 2012 at Kaliningrad, Russia.

The occasion was graced by the presence of the ambassador of India to the Russian Federation. The ship is on its maiden passage post commissioning. The induction of this fifth multi-role stealth frigate with an advance combat suite and optimal blend of cutting edge technologies would considerably bolster the Indian Navy.

The formidable array of weapons and sensors onboard the ship include the supersonic Brahmos missile system, advanced Surface to Air missile system upgraded 100mm medium range gun, optimally controlled 30mm Close-in weapon system, Torpedoes, Rocket Launchers and advanced Electronic Warfare/Communication suite. The ship is commanded by Captain Antony George, an  'Anti Submarine Warfare' specialist.

Indian Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya (Gorshkov) now expected in last quarter of 2013

As informed by the Russian side the delivery of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (Gorshkov), after completion of repairs and sea trials, would be made in the last quarter of 2013. The aircraft carrier was subjected to extensive trials for the first time for 108 days from 8th June 2012 to 23rd September 2012, with a part of the Indian crew on board, undergoing training during the sea trials.

While a substantial scope of ship's equipment and aviation trials were completed during this period, the main propulsion plant trials to full power could not be completed due to defects encountered on boiler section. Rectification of the defect is likely to take six months.Liquidated Damages (LD) clause for delays in delivery is incorporated in the contract. As per contract, LD is to be ascertained and levied within six months of ship's delivery.

The Russian side has been requested to take up necessary measures to ensure delivery of ship in the last quarter of 2013.


This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Dr.ChandanMitrain Rajya Sabha today.

India : First Scorpene Submarine by 2015

India is expected to commission its first Scorpene submarine being developed by French naval construction group DCNS, by 2015. The state-owned Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) is producing six SSK Scorpene submarines (P75) under Transfer of Technology from DCNS at a total cost of little over Rs 20,000 crore. Simultaneously, DCNS India, its Indian subsidiary, is working on the selection of Indian companies as partners for local production of the Scorpene’s equipment. DCNS India signed a contract with SEC Industries for the manufacture of high technological equipment for the P75 Scorpene submarines in September 2011 and the second contract was signed in May this year for additional items. The remaining five submarines are expected to be delivered by 2018. Bernard Buisson, Managing Director of
DCNS India, said these contracts cover an extensive Transfer of Technology. India has received investments of Rs 20,000 crore so far under the ‘Indian Defence Offset Policy’ that mandates foreign defence equipment suppliers to invest 30 per cent of the contract value in Indian companies.