One of the ships will be handed over in September and the second one early next year. It was planned to install Ukrainian parts in them.
According to senior Indian officials, the delivery of the ships has been delayed by two years due to the war in Ukraine. The officials preferred to remain anonymous given the sensitivity of the issue.
The two countries signed an agreement on the delivery of four ships in 2018. At the same time, two ships are being built directly in India with the assistance of Russia, but their construction is also behind schedule due to supply problems.
It was planned that the frigates would be equipped with Ukrainian gas turbine engines for guided missile ships. However, after trade between Ukraine and Russia stopped in 2014, India has to purchase the equipment through third countries, the officials said.
Bloomberg notes that the US is avoiding sanctions against India for trade ties with Russia. This approach of Washington should strengthen relations with New Delhi in the context of rivalry with China.
Russia is India’s main arms supplier, accounting for 36% of its import market.
