The vessel was built by the Vympel Shipyard in Rybinsk on the Volga River. The well-known design number 12418 (NATO designation: Tarantul IV), has so far been associated with ships built for export to India, Vietnam, and Turkmenistan. However, the Russian incarnation of the Tarantul IV looks quite different.
The new Tarantul
Construction of the vessel probably began back in the… late 1990s. At that time, the production of at least three boats of project 12421 was initiated. This was to be a variant of the older project 12411 (Tarantul III) with the P-100 Moskit system with the 3M80 supersonic missiles. However, as a result of a lack of domestic funding and potential foreign buyers, only the first ship – R-32 – was completed, and has been commissioned in May 2000. The vessel, which was nontypical for the Russian fleet, was sold to Egypt, where it has been serving since 2016 as Ahmed Fadel.
Meanwhile, the remaining units were rusting in the yard. After an agreement with the Russian Ministry of Defence, they continued to be built according to a extensively modified 12418 design.
Stupinets has a completely new, larger superstructure and a different propulsion system. At the same time, the combat system known from the older export version 12418 was retained. All previous variants of Tarantuls had four engines (in COGAG or CODAG configuration). This time there are two diesels (CODAD), most likely Zwiezda M-507D-1. This involves a drop in speed from the “legendary” 45-47 knots to about 29.
The main armament is the Uran antiship missile system with 3M24 subsonic missiles, 3S24 launchers and the 3R-60U fire control system. The range of the Uran missile reaches 130 km (up to 260 km in the 3M24U version). All missiles can be fired in salvo, with an interval of 2-3 seconds between them. The 3R-30U system can deliver the data necessary to engage six targets simultaneously. A new superstructure with stealth features and a larger volume resulted in 3S24 launchers being placed perpendicular to the hull symmetry. Two launchers with four 3M24 missiles each can be positioned amidships, firing on opposite sides.
In addition to the Urans, the new Tarantul has a 76.2mm AK-176MA universal gun and two six-barrel 30mm AK-630Ms – both of which are well known guns in new stealth turrets. There are also four KT-216 decoy launchers of PK-10 Smely system, and Igla or Verba MANPADs.
The ship has well-known electronic equipment, including 3Ts25 Harpun surface target detection and indication system, MR-123-02/3 Bagira artillery fire control system, MR-405-1 electronic warfare system, and MR-231-3 navigation radar.
Do the Tarantuls have a future?
Stupinets will be a part of the 106th Brigade of surface ships, a part of the Caspian Flotilla, based in Kaspiysk. The ship will soon begin sea trials. According to some Russian sources, the transfer of the vessel to the Russian Navy could take place by the end of this year. A second unit of this class is under construction at the same shipyard. Its launch is said to take place later this year.
The future of the new Tarantuls is rather unpromising. The two completed, probably mainly to keep the Vympel Shipyard alive, and strengthen the small Caspian Flotilla, are likely to remain the only ones in the Russian Navy. This flotilla is generally known for its “collection” of single ships or short series, which is unknown in other Russian fleets.
From the perspective of the Russian Navy, their combat capabilities (non-modern armaments and accompanying electronic systems, almost complete lack of air defense systems) represent a step backward compared to the designs that are in service (corvettes of Projects 21631 Bujan-M and 22800 Karakurt). Export orders will also be hard to come by. The reasons are the same, plus you can get more in international markets, although probably not for less.
