Defense News ,Russia :- In a recent announcement, the Russian government revealed the commissioning of the Admiral Golovko, the nation inaugural frigate specifically designed for deploying Zircon hypersonic missiles. During the flag-raising ceremony on December 25, President Vladimir Putin disclosed plans for the Severnaya Verf shipyard to construct a series of small- and medium-displacement corvettes by 2035, all armed with Zircon missiles, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Despite these ambitious plans, skepticism looms among experts regarding Russia capacity to simultaneously develop both Zircon-equipped vessels and the missiles themselves within the specified timeline. Pavel Luzin, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, cautioned that the current production remains more of a piece-by-piece approach rather than a full-scale serial production.
Luzin suggested that the vessels might feature a universal launcher incorporating Kalibr, Oniks, and Zircon missiles. Due to the higher cost of Zircon missiles, he anticipates that the primary anti-ship armament of these vessels will consist of Kalibr and Oniks, with limited Zircon carriers available.
The Severnaya Verf shipyard, a subsidiary of United Shipbuilding Corp., currently holds a contract to construct or prepare seven Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates. However, concerns arise about the shipyard capabilities, including the lack of a new boathouse and the need for repairs, modernization, and additional equipment.
Additionally, the Steregushchiy-class corvettes under projects 20380 and 20385 are slated to be armed with Zircons. Despite plans for a fleet of 29 corvettes, challenges persist due to sanctions affecting the availability and affordability of high-quality components for radar complexes and diesel engines.
Meanwhile, doubts surround the production of the Lider-class destroyer, with the general director of United Shipbuilding Corp., Aleksey Rakhmanov, expressing skepticism. Moreover, Russian media reports indicate that the battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy is scheduled for decommissioning.
In a separate development, Ukrainian aircraft reportedly damaged a Russian ship, Novocherkassk, moored off Crimea in the Black Sea. The attack is seen as a setback in Russia ongoing invasion of Ukraine, raising questions about the future of Western aid and boosting Ukrainian morale after recent battlefield disappointments. The Novocherkassk, a 360-foot landing ship, was targeted with guided missiles, leading to an explosion in the port. Ukrainian authorities claim the ship was likely carrying ammunition and possibly drones, asserting its destruction.
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