SOURCE: AFI
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit Russia from December 8-10, 2024, with planned stops in Moscow and Kaliningrad, according to sources in New Delhi’s military circles cited by TASS. The visit underscores the robust defense partnership between India and Russia, focusing on naval modernization and strategic collaboration.
In Kaliningrad, the Defense Minister will participate in the flag-raising ceremony for a Project 11356 frigate, marking its official induction into the Indian Navy. This event will also include the formal transfer of the frigate, which is part of a contract signed in November 2018 for the delivery of four such vessels.
The Project 11356 frigates, also known as Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, are designed for multi-role capabilities in littoral and open-ocean warfare. Two of the frigates are being constructed at Russia’s Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad. The other two are being built at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in India under a technology transfer agreement, aligning with India’s “Make in India” initiative.
In Moscow, Singh will hold bilateral talks with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov. The discussions are expected to focus on ongoing defence cooperation, including joint production and maintenance of military equipment, technology transfers, and maritime security.