Russian-built Indian Navy frigate to float out on 27 November

Kaliningrad: Russian shipyard, Yantar, will float-out the first of three Krivak-IV class stealth frigates for the Indian Navy on 27 November, a company spokesman said. These frigates are a follow-on order for a batch of Krivak-III\INS Talwar class frigates earlier constructed by the Baltisky shipyard.

The Yantar shipyard in Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad is building the three modified Krivak-IV class guided missile frigates for the Indian Navy under a $1.6 billion contract signed in July 2006.

'The frigate is due to be floated-out 27 November,' company spokesman Sergei Mikhailov said Tuesday.

He clarified sea trials would not start right away because 'post-construction work' was still to be carried out.

The 'floating-out' involves the ship becoming waterborne for the first time. After a ship's hull has been substantially completed, the sluice gates of the dry-dock, where the ship is being constructed, are opened and the filled with water. The dock gates are then opened and the ship is pulled out by tugboats to a berth where the remaining construction continues. This usually includes further construction of the superstructure, attaching of masts and funnels, and the installation of equipment and furnishings.

The trials should start in 2010, he added. (See: Russian shipyard set to 'float out' Indian Navy frigate in November)