The Russian Navy has announced that it will deliver a $1.6bn order of stealth frigates to the Indian Navy by the scheduled contract deadline of 2012.

The deal is expected to go ahead without any delays and will see Russia supply three Project 1135.6 frigates to India from its Kaliningrad Yantar shipyard.

The first ship will be launched in 2009, the second in spring 2010 and the third will follow shortly after.

The general director of the Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin said that discussions were ongoing for an additional order of the same type of combat vessel.