Russian frigate Admiral Makarov fires more missiles during state trials

Russian Navy’s third Project 11356 frigate Admiral completed another round of missile-firing tests as part of her state trials, the Russian defense ministry announced.

The November test follows a series of tests with the frigate-launched Shtil-1 surface to air missile system which, as it was earlier determined, had been unstable during operation.

Back in April 2017, the navy said that missile manufacturer Almaz Antey and shipbuilder Yantar shipyard resolved the issue adding that the frigate was expected to be delivered to the navy in the first half of 2017.

Admiral Makarov missed that delivery deadline and more recent reports indicate the frigate could be handed over to the navy this November. The defense ministry did not provide any details on delivery dates saying only the ship would be delivered by the end of the year.

The frigate was launched in September 2015 and started trials in October 2016.

Project 11356 frigates are armed with Kalibr-NK cruise missiles and the Shtil-1 medium-range surface-to-air missile system. The frigates are designed for anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare in the high seas, 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.