Tests at sea in the Baltic region began for the newest small missile carrier Storm, part of project 22800, a vessel outfitted with the Pantsir-M air defense and gun-m missile system and the Caliber cruise missiles. The announcement came from DEA News, referencing the press service of the Baltic Fleet. The program marks the launch of a rigorous stage of state testing for this modern ship and its integrated weapons complex.
According to officials, members of the factory construction and commissioning team joined the state acceptance board aboard Storm, along with the ship’s crew. The exercises focus on maneuvering and speed, while comprehensive checks are conducted on every system and component. The testing includes validation of the ship’s weapons suite, navigation electronics, and radio communications, ensuring that all parts operate in concert under varying conditions and at different speeds.
As part of the ongoing state tests, the Navy noted that the crew will soon perform artillery fire using the Burya complex on a naval target. This portion of the program is designed to demonstrate accuracy, reliability, and the ability to engage sea targets with fire control systems synchronized to the ship’s sensors and communications network.
Storm was constructed at the Pella shipyard and is slated to join the Baltic Fleet. The vessel is intended to operate alongside other missile carriers and support craft in the Baltic naval base’s coastal defense and power projection framework, contributing to a layered defense and rapid response capability in the region.
Earlier reports from Pella indicated that Burya was expected to be handed over to the Baltic Fleet by the end of 2022, aligning with the broader timeline for bringing new capabilities into service. The ongoing trials build on previously completed factory sea trials of the Storm and its 22800 Karakurt lineage, during which artillery firing tests were conducted and the missile systems demonstrated their ability to launch from the ship to designated targets at sea. These earlier exercises helped validate integration between the ship’s self-defense suite, fire control networks, and the ship-to-ship and ship-to-target communications essential for modern naval operations. [Baltic Fleet press service attribution]