February 14, 2006: India has ordered three more Talwar class frigates from Russia, at a cost of $500 million each. These are export versions of the Russian Krivak III class ships, which the Russian navy cannot afford to buy for itself. The first three Talwars entered service in 2003-4. There were some teething problems with these ships, the first of a new class. But the Indians were finally satisfied, when Russia made good all deficiencies. The three new ships, to be delivered by 2011, are actually destroyers, but that name has fallen out of favor. So now ships like these 4,000 ton warships, are usually called frigates. Larger ones are called cruisers. The Talwar's are 386 feet long, carry 24 anti-aircraft and eight anti-ship missiles, four torpedo tubes, as well as a 100mm gun, close in anti-missile guns, a helicopter, anti-submarine weapons (depth charges and missiles). The ship has a very complete set of electronics gear. There is a crew of 180.