Vladimir Korolev, the deputy director general of naval shipbuilding for the United States and Canada, spoke about upcoming developments in a recent interview conducted for TASS. He indicated that the Northern Design Bureau, which operates under the United Shipbuilding Corporation, is preparing a project to modernize the head frigate of the 22350M class. This upgraded frigate would have the capability to carry cruise missiles from the Caliber family, significantly expanding its long range strike options for the fleet. The plan is to seek approval for this design from the Russian Ministry of Defense as part of a structured developmental process. [attribution: TASS]
The laying of the new vessel is anticipated only after a substantial portion of the technical design and working design documentation is completed, with the threshold set at about sixty percent. Officials expect that the technical project will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Defense for formal approval, marking a crucial milestone in the procurement and construction timeline. The sequence underscores tight coordination between design offices, shipyards, and military planners to ensure that the project meets operational requirements and safety standards. [attribution: TASS]
Each Project 22350M frigate is designed with the capacity to carry up to 48 missiles across Caliber, Onyx, and Zircon families. In addition to the missile payload, these ships are planned to be outfitted with the Poliment-Redut surface-to-air missile system, providing robust air defense, and they will be equipped with anti-submarine weapons to enhance blue-water and coastal operation capabilities. This mix of missiles and sensors positions the frigate as a versatile platform capable of contributing to multiple mission sets, from high-intensity surface warfare to maritime security patrols. [attribution: TASS]
At the Army-2022 forum, Igor Orlov, the general director of Severnaya Verf shipyard, presented the Provorny class missile-gun corvette, a program intended for delivery to the Russian Navy in 2024 after an earlier fire incident. The forum spotlighted ongoing modernization efforts across the fleet and highlighted the role of shipyards in delivering advanced weapon systems for recent and upcoming patrols and operations. [attribution: Army-2022 forum materials]
Earlier at the same defense expo, the Central Design Bureau Rubin unveiled a concept for an all-electric submarine designated Amur e600, boasting an impressive cruising range that expands to about 1500 miles. The project illustrates a strategic push toward longer endurance underwater platforms capable of staying submerged longer and operating in more distant theaters of operation. [attribution: Army-2022 forum materials]
Additionally, Rubin showcased a demonstration model of the Harpsichord-2R underwater drone, engineered in the form of a submarine to illustrate evolving unmanned underwater capabilities. The exhibit highlighted the growing emphasis on autonomous and remotely operated systems within the fleet’s modernization agenda, reflecting broader trends in subsea warfare and reconnaissance. [attribution: Army-2022 forum materials]