No longer need Ukraine for marine engines, says Russia

Russia has said it no longer has any dependency on Ukraine for naval engines as alternate systems have been developed, which are also on offer to India for its future frigates. Russia's biggest shipbuilder has also said that it has big plans under the Make in India initiative and is looking to set up a manufacturing hub, with two investment opportunities currently being pursued.

Responding to Indian concerns that the ongoing war with Ukraine could impact the delivery of gas turbine engines needed for two Project 11356 class frigates being made at Goa, the head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Alexey Rakhmanov, said replacements were available.

"The dependency on Ukraine has been dealt with a while ago and the Saturn company has developed the engines. We don't have any dependency on Ukraine, that is history now. Should the Indian side choose the Russian engines (for the frigates under construction), we will be happy to supply them," Rakhmanov said.

The conflict raised serious questions on Ukraine's ability to deliver the engines. However, two frigates of the same class that are being built for India at the Yantar shipyard in Russia have not been impacted as the engines have been delivered. USC officials said that the first frigate will be delivered by November 2023, after a six month delay due to sanctions being placed on Russia.

Rakhmanov said Russia had plans to make a large manufacturing hub in India and is currently looking at options for investment. While the plan to invest in the financially distressed Pipavav shipyard did not work out, the Russian official said a large manufacturing campus was planned in India.