By TASS Russian news agency
“The ceremony was held under the supervision of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov who also inspected the production capacities of the shipyard,”
Crimean State Council
The Askold is the second project 22800 corvette built by the Kerch Shipyard.
“The first warship, the Tsiklon, was floated at the end of last year’s summer and is currently undergoing trials in Novorossiysk while the third corvette, the Amur is at the stage of construction,”
Kerch Shipyard
The Black Sea fleet said in August that the Tsiklon would enter service by the yearend.
Currently, the Russian Navy operates three project 22800 corvettes: the Mytishchi, the Sovetsk and the Odintsovo. All of them are operating in the Baltic Fleet. Overall, shipbuilders will construct 18 such warships, which will be divided equally between the Pacific, Baltic and Black Sea fleets.
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Naval News comments:
The Project 22800 Karakurt-class missile corvette was designed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau in St. Petersburg. The ship is intended to engage the enemy’s strategic facilities in green waters, destroy hostile surface combatants and offshore installations individually and in conjunction with other forces, and repel air attacks. It can also eliminate frogmen, conduct search-and-rescue operations, and support coast guard units.
The Project 22800 corvette has a length of about 67 meters, a width of 11 meters, a draft of 2.8 meters and a full displacement of 860 tons. The ship is powered by two M-507D-1 diesel engines with a power output of 7,360 kWt each and an 8,830 kWt M70FRU gas-turbine engine. The corvette features a top speed of up to 35 knots, an economical speed of 12 knots, a cruising range of 2,500 nautical miles, and an endurance of 12 days. The ship launches missiles at Level 5 sea state.
The corvette’s armament comprises an AK-176MA 76mm gun and a Pantsir-M (NATO reporting name: SA-22 Greyhound) antiaircraft missile/gun system, while the first two ships of the type carry two AK-630 30mm small-caliber antiaircraft guns.
The ship is equipped with an eight-cell 3S-14 vertical launcher for Kalibr (SS-N-27 Sizzler) cruise missiles, which is located in its superstructure. The Project 22800 corvette features increased seaworthiness, high maneuverability, and low radar signature of its superstructure and hull. The ship can carry an Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle.
