Russia's Latest Frigate Will Be Equipped By Long-distance Anti-Aircraft Missiles, Capable Of Targeting At A Distance Of 400 Kilometers

Russian Admiral Gorshkov (417) frigate. (Wikimedia Commons/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation/mil.ru)

JAKARTA - The upgraded Project 22350M frigate equipped with the Poliment-Redut air defense system, will carry long-range anti-aircraft missiles to strike targets up to a maximum range of 400 km, a source in the domestic defense industry told TASS.

"The Poliment-Redut system, which will be installed on the upgraded Project 22350M frigates, will eventually get a heavy long-range missile with the ability to strike air targets at a maximum range of 400 km, in addition to medium and long-range air defense missiles," the source said, citing TASS, February 3.

Currently, the Poliment-Redut launcher can fire missiles with a range of 150 km, the sources explained.

Nearly three times the ability to intercept air targets will enable the Russian frigate to target NATO long-range air early warning and control aircraft, organizing its air defenses more effectively, using short- and medium-range anti-aircraft missiles, he said.

The long-range anti-aircraft missiles will be launched from the cells of the multipurpose 3S14 cross-ship launching system mounted on the frigate. Project 22350 lead frigate Admiral Gorshkov carries two launchers for 16 missiles.

Later, starting from Admiral Amelko (fifth warship of Project 22350), the frigates will be armed with four launch systems, each consisting of eight missiles.

Meanwhile, the upgraded Project 22350M frigates will already carry six launchers for 48 missiles.

However, TASS does not yet have official confirmation of this information.

Defense industry sources earlier said the launch ceremony of the Project 22350M main frigate at Severnaya Verf Shipyard is scheduled for 2023 as soon as the launch of the new ship is put into service.

Overall, the plan will consist of building 12 upgraded Project 22350M frigates. The Russian Ministry of Defense will sign a contract with the shipbuilder at the Army 2023 international arms exhibition, to build a series of six Project 22350 and Project 22350M frigates.

It is known, the Project 22350 frigate is expected to be the most advanced warship of the Russian Navy in its class.

The frigate is a multi-purpose battleship capable of effectively engaging enemy surface ships, aircraft and submarines and delivering attacks on land and coastal installations from a distance of more than 1.500 km.

This warship displaces 4.500 tons and can accelerate to 29 knots. The ship is armed with Oniks and Kalibr cruise missiles and the Poliment-Redut air defense missile system.