Project 22350 frigate

Project 22350 frigate
Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation · CC BY 4.0 · source
Name	Project 22350
Caption	The lead ship, ''Admiral Gorshkov'', in 2018.
Builders	Severnaya Verf
Operators	Russian Navy
Class before	Project 11356 frigate
In service	2018–present
Planned	15
Type	Frigate
Displacement	4,500 tonnes
Length	135 m
Beam	16.4 m
Draught	4.5 m
Propulsion	CODAG: 2 × M90FR gas turbines, 2 × 10D49 diesel engines
Speed	29.5 knots
Range	4,500 nautical miles
Complement	210
Sensors	5P-20K PESA radar, 5P-27 PESA radar, Mineral-M radar, Vignale MAE ESM
Armament	1 × 130 mm A-192 naval gun, 2 × Palash CIWS, 16 × UKSK VLS cells for Kalibr, Oniks, or Zircon missiles, 32 × Redut VLS cells for 9M96/9M100 missiles, 2 × Paket-NK anti-submarine systems, 2 × 14.5 mm MTPU machine guns
Aircraft carried	1 × Kamov Ka-27
Aviation facilities	Helipad and hangar

Project 22350 frigate. The Project 22350, also known as the Admiral Gorshkov class, is a class of guided-missile frigates constructed for the Russian Navy. Designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau and built at the Severnaya Verf shipyard in Saint Petersburg, these vessels represent the first new major surface combatant design for Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Intended as multi-role warships, they are equipped with advanced AESA and PESA radar systems and a formidable suite of weapons, including long-range cruise and anti-aircraft missiles.

Design and development

The design phase for the new frigate began in the early 2000s under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Defence, aiming to create a modern, blue-water capable warship to replace aging Soviet-era designs like the Neustrashimyy-class frigate. The project faced significant challenges, including the post-Soviet decline of the Russian shipbuilding industry and difficulties in developing domestic propulsion systems, which initially led to reliance on Ukrainian-made gas turbines. Following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent breakdown in relations with Ukraine, the program was delayed as Russia sought to indigenize the powerplant, eventually developing the M90FR turbine through NPO Saturn. The lead ship, named for the famed Soviet naval commander Sergey Gorshkov, was laid down in 2006.

Description

The Project 22350 frigate features a stealthy superstructure with angled surfaces to reduce its Radar cross-section. Its integrated sensor suite is centered on the 5P-20K PESA radar for air search and the 5P-27 PESA radar for fire control, part of the Poliment-Redut naval air defense system. Primary armament is housed in two vertical launch system complexes: the UKSK VLS for anti-ship and land-attack missiles like the Kalibr, Oniks, and the hypersonic Zircon, and the Redut VLS for a variety of surface-to-air missiles including the 9M96. Other weapons include a 130 mm A-192 gun, Paket-NK anti-torpedo systems, and a Kamov Ka-27 helicopter for anti-submarine warfare.

Ships in class

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Name !! Hull No. !! Builder !! Laid down !! Launched !! Commissioned !! Fleet |- | ''Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov'' || 417 || Severnaya Verf || 1 Feb 2006 || 29 Oct 2010 || 28 July 2018 || Northern Fleet |- | ''Admiral Flota Kasatonov'' || 431 || Severnaya Verf || 26 Nov 2009 || 12 Dec 2014 || 21 July 2020 || Northern Fleet |- | ''Admiral Golovko'' || 456 || Severnaya Verf || 1 Feb 2012 || 22 May 2020 || 25 Dec 2023 || Northern Fleet |- | Admiral Isakov || 457 || Severnaya Verf || 14 Nov 2013 || 15 May 2021 || Under trials || – |- | Admiral Amelko || 468 || Severnaya Verf || 23 July 2019 || Under construction || – || – |- | Admiral Chichagov || 469 || Severnaya Verf || 23 July 2019 || Under construction || – || – |- | Admiral Yumashev || 470 || Severnaya Verf || 20 July 2020 || Under construction || – || – |- | Admiral Spiridonov || 471 || Severnaya Verf || 24 Dec 2021 || Under construction || – || – |}

Operational history

The lead ship, ''Admiral Gorshkov'', began state acceptance trials in the Baltic Sea in November 2014 and was formally commissioned into the Russian Navy in 2018. In 2019, it conducted a long-range deployment to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, visiting Havana and conducting exercises with the People's Liberation Army Navy of China. In 2023, Admiral Gorshkov conducted a notable patrol in the Atlantic Ocean armed with Zircon hypersonic missiles, a move widely interpreted as a strategic signal during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The second unit, ''Admiral Kasatonov'', has also participated in several major naval exercises, including operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

Export and variants

An export derivative, 22350 frigate, the Navy|Mediterated the Mediterranean Sea] (frigate)