Russia Advances High-Precision Naval Weapons and New Hulls
Russia is pursuing a significant expansion of its naval fleet, focusing on warships equipped with high-precision weaponry. This direction was affirmed by Igor Mukhametshin, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, during a visit to the Zelenodolsk Plant in Tatarstan, named after AM Gorky. The remarks underscore a strategic push to increase the share of accurate, long-range missiles and other advanced systems across the surface fleet and related platforms.
In mid-June, shipyard activity highlighted progress with the laying of hulls for two vessels under Project 03182r. These ships are intended to extend Russia’s reach into the world ocean shelf, reflecting ongoing commitments to expand expeditionary capabilities and maritime presence in key offshore regions. The construction signals a continued effort to build a modern, modular fleet capable of sustained operations in varied sea conditions.
Former Commander of the Northern Fleet, Admiral Alexander Moiseev, noted that the Northern Fleet’s procurement for the current year includes a substantial number of modern weapons. He indicated that about 64 percent of the weapons to be acquired by year-end would be of a modern design, demonstrating a clear shift toward more advanced combat systems within the fleet. This modernization trend aligns with broader national defense priorities and underscores the emphasis on upgrading critical combat assets with next-generation electronics, sensors, and missiles.
Additionally, Moiseev reported that the Northern Fleet would complete tests on a range of new weapons before the close of the year. Among the systems mentioned was the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, which had completed a test cycle successfully for the Zircon hypersonic missile. This achievement highlights progress in deploying hypersonic capabilities at sea, a development that would enhance strike options against high-value targets and improve reach and speed in maritime engagement scenarios. In the broader regional context, Moiseev indicated that the Pacific Fleet would see replenishments in 2022, including one corvette, two minesweepers, and three submarines, signaling sustained growth in diverse vessel classes across Russia’s naval component.
The Northern Fleet Commander further stated that the Project 22350 Admiral Golovko frigate is slated to join the Northern Fleet by year-end. If realized, it would position this frigate as the first carrier of sea-based hypersonic weapons within the fleet, marking a milestone in the deployment of advanced weaponry from Russia’s northern maritime domain. The ambition to integrate high-speed, long-range hypersonic capabilities reflects strategic intent to deter potential threats and to maintain a robust, forward-deployed naval posture across multiple theaters. The overall narrative from fleet leadership emphasizes a deliberate and steady modernization plan, balancing new hull construction with the integration of cutting-edge weapons systems, and ensuring the continued relevance of Russia’s blue-water ambitions in a changing security landscape.