The Indian Navy’s second of three Talwar-class warships INS Tarkash (F46) has successfully completed sea trials off the Baltic Sea, validating its shipboard and weapon systems.

A Yantar Shipyard spokesman said: "A firing test effectively held by mid-range surface-to-air missile system Shtil-1 in the Baltic Sea was the last dot in the state trials programme."

INS Tarkash will be delivered to the navy in November following the completion of docking and examination at the shipyard, which is scheduled to take place in September.

The Indian Ministry of Defence placed orders with Russia in July 2006 to build an additional three Talwar-class frigates, INS Teg (F45), INS Tarkash (F46), and INS Trikand (F50), worth $1.6bn.

"A firing test effectively held by mid-range surface-to-air missile system Shtil-1 in the Baltic Sea was the last dot in the state trials programme.”

The three additional frigates will be deployed to support operations alongside the existing warships of the same class, INS Talwar (sword), INS Trishul (trident) and INS Tabar (axe), which are operational with the Indian Navy.

Designed and built in Russia, the Talwar-class guided missile frigates are modified version of the Krivak III-class frigate and can cruise at a maximum speed of 30k.

The 4,000t Talwar frigates have been designed to detect and eliminate enemy submarines and large surface ships, while supporting a range of maritime missions such as hunting down and destroying large surface ships and submarines.

Armed with eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to replace the original Russian Klubs, the new frigates feature a 100mm gun and a Shtil-1 medium-range surface-to-air missile system.

Additional features of the frigates include two Kashtan air defence gun/missile systems, two twin 533mm torpedo tubes and an anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

The Indian Navy is expected to receive INS Trikand in June 2013.