December 26, 2017

Russian shipbuilder Yantar delivered the third Project 11356 frigate ‘Admiral Makarov’ to the Russian Navy after a series of prolonged acceptance trials.

The main reason for the delay were problems with the frigate-launched Shtil-1 surface to air missile system which had been unstable during operation, as explained by the Russian defense ministry.

The most recent missile tests took place early November this year.

Admiral Makarov, which was launched in September 2015 and started trials in October 2016, was handed over to the navy on December 25 and is to be commissioned into service on December 27.

Project 11356 frigates are armed with Kalibr-NK cruise missiles and the Shtil-1 medium-range surface-to-air missile system.

The frigates embark one Ка-28 or Ка-31 helicopter in hangar and feature the Russian-built Fregat-MAE-4k General detection and target designation radar designed for detection of air and surface targets and output of target designation data to firing units.

They are designed for anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft actions both independently and as an escort ship. Measuring 124,8 meters in length, the frigates displace 3620 tonnes.

The first two ships in the class, Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen were commissioned on March 11 and June 7, 2016, respectively.