Demand of Russian Navy for Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates in the next 15-20 years will rise up to 20 ships, press secretary of Severnaya Verf shipyard said for the RIA Novosti on Feb 1.
“ In the next 15-20 years, Russian Navy will need up to 20 frigates. They will be based on Project 22350 ships equally effective alone and within a task force ”, Vilde said.
On Feb 1, Severnaya Verf laid down a keel for third Project 22350 frigate Admiral Golovko for Russian Navy. Admiral Gorshkov, lead ship of the project was put afloat in 2010 and is almost completed. First serial frigate – Admiral Kasatonov – was laid down at Severnaya Verf in 2009.
Attending the keel-laying ceremony, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky pointed out that corvette Gremyaschiy was laid down at Severnaya Verf on the same day. As for the admiral, that was a significant event. He added that commanders of all four fleets and Caspian Flotilla present at the ceremony attached a special importance.
On behalf of Defense Ministry, Vysotsky expressed satisfaction of the fact that Severnaya Verf shipyard had accepted all defense orders.
“ We are confident that all of them will be executed on time. Those orders are quite big, so the shipyard will need enlargement ”, noted the Navy CinC .
The admiral added that the newly keel-laid frigate Admiral Golovko would serve at Northern Fleet.
According to Olga Vilde, present-day frigates are taking dominance in most foreign navies and in export programs of leading sea powers – Great Britain, France, and Germany. As for the shipyard’s press secretary, designing and construction of new frigates imply a change-over to modular method including wide cooperation with foreign industries.
Displacement of Project 22350 frigate is 4,500 tons; length is 130 meters; fuel range is over 4,000 miles; navigability is unlimited.
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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, February 7, 2012; Image: nordsy.spb