Russia's shipyard launches Indian stealth frigates 'Teg'

Russia's defence shipyard "Yantar" has launched first of the three Indian stealth frigates – INS Teg (Sabre) at a colourful ceremony in the Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.

Under the USD1.6-billion contract signed in July 2006, INS Teg begins the second series of three – Project 11356 Talwar Class (Krivak-III) stealth guided missile frigates to be followed by INS Tarkash (Quiver) and INS Trikand (Bow).

INS Teg was launched with the recitation of Vedic hymns by the Indian Naval attache in Moscow, Commodore SK Grewal, and breaking of coconut by the Indian Consul General in St Petersburg, Radhika Lal Lokesh.

Russia has previously built three Talwar class frigates for India – INS Talwar (from the Hindi language meaning 'sword'), INS Trishul (Trident), and INS Tabar (Axe).

In accordance with the Russian tradition, a bottle of champagne was broken at its hull by its 'god mother' Raisa Romashko, who is an eminent shipbuilder of Russia.

"The trials of INS Teg will start in 2010," "Yantar" shipyard director general Igor Orlov was quoted as saying by Military TV Channel Zvezda.