History
The design of the ship, developed by Severnoye PKB (Northern Design Bureau) FSUE in Saint Petersburg, was approved by Naval Command in July 2003.[15] The plan is to fully replace the older Neustrashimy and Krivak class in four Russian fleets.[16]
The lead ship, Admiral Gorshkov or its full name – Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov,[17] was laid down on 1 February 2006 in Severnaya Verf shipyard in Saint Petersburg.[citation needed] In late October 2008 the Russian deputy prime minister, Sergei Ivanov, said the timely construction of combat ships is a priority task of for Russia's shipbuilding industry, and announced that the first ship in the class would be ready by 2011.[citation needed] The completion date of the lead ship was initially slated for 2009, but this was later pushed back, as was the commissioning date.[18]
On 24 June 2009, during the "МВМС-IMDS 2009" International Naval Expo, the Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, announced that the production of a second Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate would begin at Severnaya Verf by the end of the year.[citation needed] In November 2009 the Severnaya Verf shipyard announced that it would start the construction of the second ship of the class on 26 November named Admiral Kasatonov.[citation needed] The ship was laid down in a ceremony attended by representatives of the Russian Navy, the Saint Petersburg administration, and Admiral Igor Kasatonov - the son of the ship's namesake, Vladimir Kasatonov.[19] In December 2014, one engine from Admiral Kasatonov was transferred to Admiral Gorshkov.[20]
The first frigate was floated out of the launch dock on 29 October 2010. The ship was only 40 percent complete and then began to be fitted out.[citation needed] At that point, main mechanical equipment and systems providing safe launching had been installed, including a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) turbine powerplant, gear assemblies, drive shafts and screws, and electric power supply facilities. Further work was performed at the shipyard's fitting quay.[21]
The Russian Navy set a requirement for 20–30 such ships.[22] The Severnaya Verf shipyard has thus far announced having received orders for six units.[23][24] According to the Russian Navy's deputy commander for armament Vice Admiral Viktor Bursuk, the Russian Navy needs no less than 15 such frigates in basic and upgraded versions.[25]
In August 2012, the shipyard received loans worth RUB 16.23 billion (US$510 million) from the state-owned Sberbank to facilitate the frigate construction project.[26]
The first two ships of the class have gas turbines from Zorya-Mashproekt in Ukraine. Following the 2014 Crimean crisis, Ukrainian industry refused to supply Russia with military technology. As a result, NPO Saturn has been commissioned to design indigenous engines. Initial forecasts expected these new engines to be available in 2017–18, allowing ships to be commissioned from 2020;[27] however, after intervention by the Russian government, the plan was brought forward.[28] In November 2020 it was announced that United Engine Corporation had initiated delivery of the DGTA M55R diesel-gas power plant which would be installed on frigates of the class beginning with Admiral Isakov.[29]
The first frigate in the class, Admiral Gorshkov, was commissioned on 28 July 2018.[30]
State testing of the Russian shipborne Poliment-Redut 150 km (93 mi) range air defence missile system with a phased array radar for the frigates of 22350 series has been completed, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Vladimir Korolyov announced in February 2019.[31][32]
In February 2019, Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Kasatonov were equipped with a naval version of the new 5P-42 Filin electro-optic countermeasure system. The Filin fires a beam similar to a strobe light that affects enemy combatants' eyesight, making it more difficult for them to aim at night. During testing, volunteers reportedly used rifles and guns to shoot targets that were protected by the system and reported having trouble aiming because they could not see. Additionally, about half of the volunteers said they felt dizzy, nauseated and disoriented. About 20 percent of the volunteers reported experiencing hallucinations.[33]
In March 2019, the Severnoye Design Bureau reported it has completed the outline design of the upgraded Project 22350M frigate and began working on the technical documentation for the ship. The Project 22350M frigates are believed to incorporate increased number of VLS cells for combination of 48 or 64[34] Kalibr, Oniks and Zircon anti-ship cruise missiles while displacing about 7,000 tons.[35] The ships are expected to be laid down in a new boathouse with two slipways at Severnaya Verf which will be completed in 2022.[34]
On 23 April 2019, two modified Project 22350 frigates, Admiral Amelko and Admiral Chichagov, were laid down at Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg during a ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.[36] It was reported that they were to be fitted with 24 VLS cells for Kalibr, Oniks or Zircon cruise missiles, as opposed to 16 VLS cells installed on the first four frigates of the class. Their delivery to the Russian Navy is scheduled for 2023/24 and 2025, respectively.[37] In 2021 it was reported that the intent was actually to fit 32 3S-14 versatile shipborne VLS cells in Admiral Amelko, Admiral Chichagov and follow-on ships. This remained to be confirmed.[10] In 2020 it was indicated that three ships would be assigned to the Northern Fleet, three to the Pacific Fleet and two to the Black Sea Fleet.[38] A further contract for two additional frigates of the class was announced at the Army-2020 forum increasing the numbers of projected frigates in the Northern and Pacific Fleets to four vessels each.[39]
On 30 December 2020 it was reported that the Admiral Kasatonov successfully completed acceptance trials of the Otvet anti-submarine missile complex.[40]
On 30 December 2021, it was reported that the Amur Shipyard is preparing to sign a contract for the construction of six frigates for the Pacific Fleet, likely of the Admiral Gorshkov class. This would decrease the load on Severnaya Verf, which is currently responsible for the construction of all Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates. However, there has been no official confirmation from either the Ministry of Defence or Amur Shipyard.[41]
On 17 August 2022, the United Shipbuilding Corporation stated that they will soon be ready to submit a design proposal for Project 22350M "Super Gorshkov" to the Ministry of Defence, with a lead vessel laying already planned but not yet publicly known (as of August 2022).[42][43][44]
On 15 November 2022, General Director of Severnaya Verf Igor Orlov stated that the shipyard will lay down five additional Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates.[45]
On 2 February 2023, it was reported that the Ministry of Defence would sign a contract for the construction of six Project 22350 and 22350M frigates at the "Army-2023" military exposition, with the Amur Shipyard being ready to begin construction of frigates in 2024.[46][47]
On 3 February 2023 it was reported that Project 22350M frigates and possibly some Project 22350 frigates will have their 3S14 Vertical launching systems adapted to fire 40N6E long-range anti-aircraft guided missile which are used by the S-400 missile system and have a range of 400 km.[48][49][44]
On 11 December 2023 it was reported that the Admiral Kasatonov frigate was upgraded with Zircon hypersonic missiles. [50]
Russian Navy