2024-09-05 04:35:28
Moscow: The strength of the Indian Navy is going to increase significantly soon. Two Talwar-class stealth warships are being built in Russia for India, one of which is going to reach the Navy this month. This ship will be equipped with supersonic missiles. Moscow and New Delhi signed a contract in 2018, under which Russia will give four warships to India. Two of these ships are to be built in Russia, while the remaining two will be built in India under the Make in India initiative. Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that these warships will be equipped with BrahMos missiles, which have been jointly developed and manufactured by India and Russia.
Equipped with Brahmos missile
BrahMos is a cruise missile with anti-ship and land attack capabilities. It has a range of 290 km and is capable of flying at a supersonic speed of 1235 kmph at sea level. India has also started exporting BrahMos missile and this year the Philippines became the first country to acquire it. The Philippines, which is embroiled in a maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea, received the first consignment of BrahMos missiles in April this year. Manila has described BrahMos as a game-changer.
Know the power of a warship
The displacement of the Talwar class frigate to be received by India is more than 3800 tonnes. It is capable of attacking enemy surface ships and submarines as well as countering air threats. This warship will be equipped with naval cannon, anti-ship and air defense missile systems and torpedoes. The first of the four frigates is going to be handed over this month itself, while the second warship will be received by February next year. The third and fourth ships are to be built in India, which will be handed over in 2026 and next six months respectively.
Preparing to compete with China
Russia has been a major supplier of weapons to India. Between 2019 and 2023, 36 percent of the Kremlin’s arms exports came to India. However, some reports say that India has started reducing the use of old Russian arsenals and has stopped orders for large weapons from Moscow. At present, the expansion of Beijing’s fleet of warships has worried New Delhi. The Chinese Navy has increased its activity in the Indian Ocean. This is an area that India sees as its backyard. The Chinese army is currently the largest navy in the world, with 370 ships. China has three aircraft carriers. In such a situation, India feels the need to strengthen its warship fleet to counter China.