Russian Navy’s Mediterranean grouping can get new Project 11356 frigates

Project 11356 frigates will be capable of effective operation as part of a Russian standing naval force in the Mediterranean. They will be used for fighting pirates near Africa’s coast as well if need be, Capt. 1st Rank Vladimir Tryapichnikov, chief of the Russian Navy Shipbuilding Department, said on Wednesday.

"The endurance, self-contained operation capability and armament of Project 11356 escort ships along with their ability to carry Ka-27PL, Ka-27PS or Ka-31 shipborne helicopters fully meet Russian Navy requirements to the ships making up the Mediterranean naval task force," Tryapichnikov said.

The Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad set afloat the third Project 11356 frigate, the Admiral Makarov, in a ceremony on Wednesday. It is planned to enter the Russian Navy inventory in 2016, and the Navy will receive the first two ships in the series - the Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen frigates - before the end of 2015.

The ships in the class have a displacement of 4,000 tons, a speed of up to 30 knots and an endurance of 30 days. They are armed, among other things, with the Kalibr-NK missile system and 100-mm A-190 versatile gun and air defense, torpedo and antisubmarine weapons as well. Each of the ships carries an antisubmarine warfare helicopter.
Source: Itar-Tass