The Project 20385 lead corvette Gremyashchiy armed with Kalibr cruise missiles has entered the White Sea for state trials, the press office of the Russian Northern Fleet on Friday (6th Dec). After commissioning, Gremyashchiy class corvettes is expected to increase capacity of Russian navy to response fast when the tension is high at critical areas especially Baltic Sea. The corvette is described as “cutting-edge” by Russian officials. It’s seen as a part of the modernized look of the Russian Navy, because of this reason Russian officials considers this project as gamechanger.
“For several days, the corvette’s crew will check the ship’s systems and mechanisms at sea and test radio-technical armament with the help of the Northern Fleet’s aviation. Besides, the corvette will test-fire its main missile system against various types of targets,” the press office said in a statement.
The Gremyashchiy (Thunderou) is the Project 20385 lead corvette laid down at the Severnaya Shipyard on February 1, 2012 and floated out in June 2017. The corvettes is an advanced development of the Steregushchiy-class corvettes of the Russian Navy developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau. Gremyashchiy class designated to detect and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, provide for troop landing and cope with numerous green-water tasks.
The corvette Gremyashchiy will become the first warship in the Pacific Fleet to carry Kalibr cruise missiles. The warship is expected to enter service with the Pacific Fleet by the end of 2019. Project 20385 envisages a hangar for a Ka-27 helicopter. Project 20385 corvettes displace 2,200 tonnes, have an operating range of 3,500 miles and their sea endurance is 15 days. They are armed with Kalibr-NK universal missile systems, Redut anti-aircraft missile complexes and Paket anti-submarine warfare technology.
