KOMSOMOLSK-ON-AMUR, Russia , July 2, 2026 — Russia's state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) has launched the Shtorm (Storm), the third Project 22800 Karakurt-class small missile ship built at the Amur Shipbuilding Plant for the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet.
The vessel was transferred from the shipyard slipway using the specialized floating pontoon dock "Amurets," marking the completion of its primary hull construction. Following the launch, Shtorm will enter the next stage of production, including equipment outfitting, installation of onboard systems, harbor acceptance tests, factory sea trials, and state trials before being commissioned into operational service.
The launch represents another step in the Russian Navy's ongoing Project 22800 shipbuilding program, which is intended to strengthen the country's fleet of compact missile-equipped surface combatants for coastal and regional maritime operations.
Designed for Littoral Combat Operations
The Project 22800 Karakurt-class was developed by the St. Petersburg-based Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau to provide the Russian Navy with compact, multi-role missile ships capable of operating in littoral and near-shore environments. The class was designed as a more seaworthy complement to the Buyan-M class while retaining long-range precision strike capabilities from a relatively small platform.
The Shtorm features a stealth-oriented superstructure with faceted surfaces intended to reduce radar reflections. It also incorporates an integrated mast equipped with four phased-array radar panels, improving situational awareness while lowering the vessel's radar cross-section to enhance survivability in contested maritime environments.
Missile and Air Defense Systems
Despite its displacement of approximately 800 tons, the Karakurt-class carries a significant weapons package centered on an eight-cell UKSK (3S-14) vertical launch system.
The launcher can deploy Kalibr-NK cruise missiles for land-attack and anti-submarine missions, with reported land-attack ranges of up to 2,500 kilometers, as well as P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship missiles for engaging surface combatants.
For air defense, Shtorm is equipped with the Pantsir-M naval air defense system, combining 57E6 short-range surface-to-air missiles with twin 30 mm rotary cannons to defend against aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-ship missiles, and other incoming aerial threats.
The ship's additional armament includes an AK-176MA 76.2 mm automatic dual-purpose naval gun capable of firing up to 150 rounds per minute. Close-range protection is further provided by two 12.7 mm Kord heavy machine guns. The vessel is also capable of operating Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles to support reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions.
Technical Specifications
The Shtorm has a standard displacement of approximately 800 tons, increasing to around 870 tons at full load. The vessel measures 67 meters in length, 11 meters in beam, and has a 3.3-meter draft.
Propulsion is provided by a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) configuration consisting of three M-507D-1 diesel engines, supported by three diesel generators, each producing 8,000 horsepower. This propulsion system enables the ship to reach a maximum speed of 30 knots.
The corvette has an operational range of approximately 2,500 nautical miles at an economical cruising speed of 12 knots, with an endurance of 15 days at sea. It is operated by a crew of approximately 50 personnel. The vessel is constructed using domestically produced components intended to support reliable operation during green-water missions.
Expanding the Pacific Fleet
The Shtorm is the third Project 22800 Karakurt-class missile ship constructed at the Amur Shipbuilding Plant, one of several Russian shipyards participating in serial production of the class for different naval fleets.
Previous Karakurt-class vessels have already entered service with the Russian Navy, contributing to its long-range precision strike capability through the deployment of Kalibr and Oniks missile systems from compact surface combatants.
The modernization of production facilities at the Amur Shipbuilding Plant, including the introduction of the "Amurets" pontoon dock, is expected to improve construction efficiency and support continued serial production of Karakurt-class vessels for the Russian Navy.
Once outfitting and sea trials are completed, Shtorm is expected to join the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet, further expanding its coastal defense and regional strike capabilities.
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