MUMBAI: In view of the brewing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Mumbai terror attacks, India has gone ahead with enhancing its defense programs and the Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL) is all set to hand over the first new-generation Shivali-Class Stealth frigate for trials to the Indian Navy.
Speaking to Arab News on Monday, the MDL officials said that the first stealth frigate is ready to be commissioned in the Indian Navy some time in April or May.
Though initially there were apprehensions of the delivery of the frigate to be delayed, but with all systems in order, it was ensured that the project was completed well before the deadline of mid-February, the dockyard officials said.
From India’s defense point of view, the stealth project is very vital as the three stealth frigates are among the 12 frigates and destroyers that are to be built under Project17 (P17) which is the country’s indigenous defense program to build sophisticated stealthy multirole surface ships.
Modifications and some procurement delays had been obstacles in the construction of these ships for the Indian Navy.
Shivalik frigate, which is to be commissioned in two months time, was launched in 2003, and the other two stealth frigates Satpur and Sahayadri were launched in 2004 and 2005, and it will take another two years for these frigates to join the Indian Navy. The P17 project is an enhanced and modified version of Talwar class frigate, the MDL officials said.
Explaining the main features of the Shivalik stealth frigate, MDL officials said that frigates of the kind of Shivalik have many more signature reducing features than other Indian Navy ships.
The stealth frigate, they said, is so designed that it can avoid enemy radars and works on principles of reducing the ship’s signature.
The stealth frigates are fitted with a mix of Indian, Russian and Western weaponry systems together with air defense and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The stealth frigates which will join the Indian Navy warships are capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots, carries two advance helicopters, its total length is 142.5 meters and breadth is 16.90 meters with a total displacement of 4,900 tons.
The stealth frigates are powered by gas and diesel turbines, the MDL officials said.
Meanwhile, in another development, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday night “rubbished” media reports that according to Pakistan, the 26/11 Mumbai attack plot was hatched in Bangladesh or Europe.
“There is no doubt that Mumbai terrorist attack was planned and executed from Pakistan’s soil. We have given the dossier to hundred countries. Nobody has expressed any doubt on it,” he said and added that India was awaiting Pakistan’s response to the dossier it had submitted.
Speaking to journalists in Mumbai after a meeting reviewing the security situation in Maharashtra, Chidambaram reiterated that the government had not received any communication from Pakistan, even as the latter claimed they have prepared a report on the probe conducted on the dossier provided by India.
