Russia's Nanuchka III-class Corvette 'Smerch' Upgraded with new Missiles & Gun

The Nanuchka III vessel (designated Project 12341 Small Missile Ship/FFL Малый Ракетный Корабль/МРК in Russia) belongs to the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy. It was launched in 1984.

The 16x Uran anti-ship missiles replaced the previously installed 6x P-120 Malakhit (SS-N-9 Siren) missiles.

The picture was taken from a Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) on July 15, 2019 during a transit of the Russian Corvette from the Kamchatka-based base to Vladivostok.

The *Smerch* corvette before modernization.

The Smerch underwent overhaul and modernization at JSC North-East Repair Center (formerly known as 49th ship repair plant, now part of United Shipbuilding Corporation) in Vilyuchinsk (Kamchatka Territory ) from 2017 to June 2019, becoming the first Nanuchka class corvette of the Russian Navy, to be re-equipped with the Uran missile system.

In addition, it was announced in early august that the Dalzavod Center for Ship Repair Center (in Vladivostok) completed the installation of a new AK-176MA 76-mm naval gun system aboard the Smerch corvette.

AK-176MA ship-based gun mount during tests. Arsenal Machinery Plant picture.

The AK-176MA is equipped with a digital control system and a new electro optic sensor, which allows to detect and hit targets in any weather at long range.

Smerch is set to return to the Pacific Fleet’s permanent readiness forces by the end of the year, following testing of the new systems and weapons.