Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence partners Russian firm for ‘Make in India’ warships

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: With India close to choosing Grigorivich frigates for its navy, Russia's United Shipbuilding Company (USC) is partnering Anil Ambani-led Pipavav Defence, to build these four ships under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative.

The ships will be upgraded versions of Talwar-class ships, or the Russian equivalent of Krivak-III.

An agreement regarding this Rs 30,000 crore deal is likely to be signed during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Russia visit on Thursday.

These four 'Talwar class' frontline warships will be built Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat. Pipavav, a majority stake of which was acquired by the Reliance Group a few months ago.

India stressed on domestic defence production under the “Make in India” programme, an important aspect of which is to get technology transfers and inviting foreign firms to manufacture in India.

The Grigorivichs are improved variants of the six Talwar-class frigates, which the navy obtained between 2003 and 2013.

In March, the Reliance Group had announced its acquisition of an 18-percent stake from the then promoters of Pipavav Defence, apart from a 26-percent mandatory open offer.