The Russian Navy has begun sea trials, which will include live fire exercises, of the frigate RFS Admiral Gorshkov (417), the lead ship in its class, built for long-range surface combat and anti-submarine warfare.

The trials of all the systems comprising the Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates, officially Project 22350, are proceeding on schedule and are due to be completed in July, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

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"The works are not being delayed and are proceeding according to plan. Our plan is due to be completed in July this year. Now the trials of all the assemblies are underway, including air defense systems deployed on this ship. These are Poliment-Redut complexes."

Poliment-Redut refers to the 9K96 Poliment-Redut, a new naval air defense system originally designed for Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates that can engage up to 16 airborne targets simultaneously. It's a maritime version of the land-based Vityaz medium-range air defense system whose interceptor is called the 9M96, a highly maneuverable missile.

Rogozin said the trials of the Admiral Gorshkov are complex and it's necessary to check the work of several dozen advanced systems at a time, including radio-electronics, artillery armament, various shipborne assemblies and air defense systems.

"Problems arise as to how to arrange the trials so that the test of one system does not impede the test of another complex," said Rogozin.

The Admiral Gorshkov, which was designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau, was laid down in early 2006 and floated out in the autumn of 2010. The warship started undergoing trials in November 2014. The final stage of the frigate's trials started this March.

The Gorshkov-class has a displacement of 4,500 tons and a speed of 29 knots. The ships are armed with Oniks (NATO reporting name: SS-N-26 Strobile) and Kalibr (SS-N-27 Sizzler) missiles, and the Poliment-Redut air defense missile system.

The gun/missile system on the Gorshkovs is the Palma/Palash anti-aircraft gun system armed with eight Sosna-R SAMs and two 30 mm six-barreled autocannons.

The second ship of the class, Admiral Kasatonov was launched in 2014. The third frigate, Admiral Golovko, should be launched this year. Both frigates will be outfitted with their weapons and electronic systems and will undergo extensive sea trials before joining the Northern Fleet.

TagsRussian Navy, RFS Admiral Gorshkov (417), Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, 9K96 Poliment-Redut, Admiral Kasatonov, Admiral Golovko