Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate

Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate. The Admiral Gorshkov class, Russian designation Project 22350, is a class of blue-water frigates of the Russian Navy. Designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau and constructed at the St. Petersburg-based Severnaya Verf shipyard, the class represents the first large surface combatants designed and built in Russia following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Intended as a multi-role vessel, it is equipped with a powerful suite of modern missiles and radar systems, forming a core component of the Russian Northern Fleet and Russian Baltic Fleet.

Design and development

The design phase for Project 22350 began in the early 2000s under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Defence, aiming to create a successor to the aging Soviet Navy Krivak and Neustrashimy-class frigates. The project faced significant delays, primarily due to challenges in developing and integrating its advanced weapon systems, including the Poliment-Redut surface-to-air missile system and the 5P-20K Polyment radar. Key figures in its development included designers from the Almaz-Antey concern for air defense and NPO Mashinostroyeniya for anti-ship missiles. The lead ship's construction commenced in 2006, with its keel-laying ceremony attended by senior officials from the Government of Russia and the Russian Armed Forces.

Description

The Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate features a stealth-optimized design with angled surfaces and composite materials to reduce its radar cross-section. Its primary armament is centered on two major vertical launch system (VLS) complexes: 16 UKSK VLS cells for long-range Kalibr land-attack missiles, P-800 Oniks or 3M22 Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles, and 32 Redut VLS cells for a mix of 9M96 and 9M100 surface-to-air missiles. The sensor suite is dominated by the 5P-20K PESA AESA radar system, integrated with the Sigma combat management system. Propulsion is provided by a combined CODAG plant, featuring M90FR gas turbines supplied by Ukraine's Zorya-Mashproekt and later replaced by Russian-made M90FR units from ODK-Saturn.

Ships of the class

The lead ship, named for the famed Soviet naval commander Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Sergei Gorshkov, was launched in 2010 and commissioned into the Russian Northern Fleet in 2018. Subsequent vessels include the Admiral of the Fleet Kasatonov (commissioned 2020), named for Vladimir Kasatonov; the Admiral Golovko (2023), named for Arseniy Golovko; and the Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Isakov (2024), named for Ivan Isakov. The fifth unit, the Admiral Amelko, is currently undergoing sea trials in the Gulf of Finland.

Service history

Since entering service, the class has been actively deployed in major naval exercises and global patrols, demonstrating Russia's power projection capabilities. The Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov has conducted long-range voyages to the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean, often operating alongside vessels from the Russian Pacific Fleet. In 2023, the same ship conducted live-fire exercises in the Barents Sea with 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles. These frigates have also participated in joint exercises with the People's Liberation Army Navy and have made port visits to Algeria, Egypt, and Syria.

Export and variants

An export variant, known as Project 22356, has been marketed to several nations, including India and Vietnam, though no orders have been finalized. A significantly enlarged and more heavily armed derivative, designated Project 22350M, was announced in 2018, with plans to construct up to twelve units for the Russian Navy. This "super-frigate" design reportedly increases displacement and VLS cell count substantially, aiming to bridge the gap between frigates and larger Slava-class cruisers. The design work for this variant is being led by the Northern Design Bureau in Saint Petersburg.

Category:Frigate classes Category:Ships of the Russian Navy Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s