The frigate "Admiral Amelko" of project 22350 (type "Admiral Gorshkov"), launched in St. Petersburg, will strengthen Russia's military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. This opinion was expressed by military expert Brandon J. Weichert in the article "Here's Why the Russian Navy's Newest Frigate Is Keeping American Strategists Up at Night" for The National Interest.
Project 22350 frigates will replace outdated ships of the Soviet era. They were created as universal warships for long-distance voyages. By 2027, these frigates will form the basis of the Russian surface fleet.
The first ship of project 22350, "Admiral Gorshkov," was laid down in 2006. It was included in the Russian Navy in 2018. The characteristics of the following frigates—"Admiral Kasatonov" and "Admiral Golovko"—were improved.
About "Admiral Amelko"
The frigate was laid down in April 2019. It received a helicopter pad and a hangar for the Ka-27, Ka-29, or Ka-31.
"Admiral Amelko" received powerful weapons. It is equipped with launchers for Kalibr cruise missiles, Onyx supersonic missiles, Zircon hypersonic missiles, and Otvet anti-submarine missile systems. Close-range protection is provided by a 130-mm A-192M naval artillery system and Paket-NK torpedo tubes.
Thanks to these weapons, the frigate will be able to effectively engage submarines, surface ships, aircraft, and ground targets.
In fact, "Admiral Amelko" is a "floating arsenal", Weichert emphasized.
Technical characteristics of project 22350
- Length — 135 m
- Width — 16 m
- Draft — 4.5 m
- Displacement — 5400 t
- Speed — 29.5 knots
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