Festive keel-laying ceremony of frigate Admiral Makarov will take place at JSC Yantar Shipyard (affiliate of United Shipbuilding Corporation) on Feb 29. This is the third ship in the series built by the shipyard for Russian Navy since 2010.
In accordance with two contracts tied with Russian Defense Ministry, Yantar Shipyard will build six Project 11356 frigates developed by JSC Severnoye Design Bureau . Lead ship of the series – frigate Admiral Grigorovich – was laid down on Dec 18, 2010. Keel laying of the second frigate – Admiral Essen – was held on July 8, 2011. The shipyard is supposed to deliver first three frigates to the Navy in 2014-15.
The solemn ceremony will be attended by Russian Vice Premier Dmitry Rogozin , president of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation Roman Trotsenko , Kaliningrad Governor Nikolai Tsukanov , Baltic Fleet Commander VADM Viktor Chirkov , and Director General of JSC Severnoye Design Bureau Vladimir Spiridopulo .
Project 11356 frigate is designed for littoral warfare against opponent’s surface ships and submarines, and repelling air attacks either independently or within a task force as an escort ship.
Stepan O. Makarov (1848-1904) was outstanding Russian naval commander, Vice Admiral, statesman, scientist, veteran of two wars, inventor, shipbuilder, designer of the Russia’s first icebreaker, author of books and articles. He is the only Russian naval commander served at all four theaters of naval operations.
Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad, Russia) was established on July 8, 1945 on the basis of Koenigsberg shipyards F. Schichau . It is specialized in construction of light and intermediate tonnage vessels for military and civil purposes, as well as ship repair works. Through the 66-year long history, the yard has built 154 warships and over 500 civil vessels. Currently, Yantar ‘s majority shareholder is Russian Government represented by United Shipbuilding Corporation.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , February 29, 2012; Image: defense