July 6, 2012: India has received the first of three Stealth Talwar frigates it ordered from Russia six years ago. The 4,000 ton P-17 project Talwar's are 124.5 meter (386 feet) long, carry 24 anti-aircraft and eight anti-ship missiles, four torpedo tubes, as well as a 100mm gun, short range anti-missile guns, a helicopter, and anti-submarine weapons (depth charges and missiles). The ship has a very complete set of electronics gear, except for a troublesome Indian sonar. There is a crew of 180. All of the Talwars are being equipped with eight BrahMos anti-ship missile each. The Talwar is a modified version of the Russian Krivak IV design.
The P-17A "stealth" frigates are the same size as the original three Talwars India ordered 15 years ago. The Stealthy Talwars had the superstructure changed so as to reduce the radar signature (making the ship less likely to show up on enemy radars). Improved weapons and electronics are installed as well, making it a more formidable warship than the original Talwars. The other two Stealth Talwars are to arrive within a year.
