Russian Navy's December 2024 Milestones: New Ships and Key Specifications

December 2024 marked significant advancements for the Russian Navy, with multiple new vessels entering service or reaching pivotal stages in their development. These additions not only bolster Russia’s maritime capabilities but also underline its strategic focus on Arctic dominance, advanced missile platforms, and enhanced fleet mobility. Here's a detailed look at these milestones and the specifications of the newly launched ships.

Karakurt-Class Corvette: Tucha Joins the Fleet

On December 21, the Russian Navy commissioned the Tucha, a Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvette, during a ceremony in Kaspiysk. Though the event took place in the Caspian Sea, the vessel is assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. These corvettes are highly mobile, armed with advanced weaponry, and are designed to evade attacks, particularly from Ukrainian cruise missiles and drones.

• Specifications:
  • Displacement: 800 tons
  • Dimensions: 67×11×4 meters
  • Armament:
    • Kalibr cruise missiles
    • Pantsir-M air defense system
    • 76.2 mm AK-176MA gun
  • Speed: 30 knots
  • Range: 2,500 nautical miles

The Tucha represents a new step in securing Russian maritime interests, with its construction dating back to February 2019. Its keel was laid at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard, marking the shipyard's debut in producing the Karakurt-class vessels.

Buyan-M Corvette: Stavropol Begins Sea Trials

December 22 saw the start of sea trials for the Stavropol, the final unit of the Project 21631 Buyan-M corvette series, in the Gulf of Finland. This class of ships has been pivotal for the Russian Navy, especially in littoral warfare.

• Specifications:
  • Displacement: 949 tons
  • Dimensions: 75×11×2.5 meters
  • Armament:
    • Kalibr cruise missiles
    • A-190 100 mm naval gun
    • Gibka air-defense system
  • Speed: 25 knots
  • Range: 2,500 nautical miles

The Stavropol faced construction delays due to international sanctions, which impacted the availability of imported components like engines. The eventual shift to Russian-made Kolomna 10D49 engines allowed for the ship’s launch in mid-2024.

Arctic Patrol Ship: Nikolai Zubov Launched

On December 25, the Nikolai Zubov, the second Arctic patrol ship of Project 23550, was launched at Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg. This ice-class patrol vessel is built to endure extreme Arctic conditions, capable of navigating ice up to 1.7 meters thick.

• Specifications:
  • Displacement: 8,500 tons
  • Dimensions: 114.5×19.5×6.5 meters
  • Armament:
    • 76 mm AK-176MA naval gun
    • 12.7 mm Kord machine guns
    • Igla/Verba MANPADS
  • Speed: 18 knots
  • Special Features:
    • Helipad and hangar for Ka-27 or Ka-226 helicopters
    • Capability to carry containerized Kalibr missile systems

The Nikolai Zubov is designed for multiple roles, including Arctic surveillance, search and rescue missions, and logistics support. It is expected to join the fleet by 2026.

Yasen-M Submarine: Arkhangelsk Commissioned

December 27 marked the commissioning of the Arkhangelsk (K-564), a Project 885M Yasen-M nuclear-powered submarine, into the Northern Fleet. These submarines are among the most advanced in the world, capable of carrying Tsirkon hypersonic missiles.

• Specifications:
  • Displacement: 13,800 tons (submerged)
  • Length: 139 meters
  • Armament:
    • 3M22 Tsirkon hypersonic missiles
    • Kalibr-PL cruise missiles
    • Oniks anti-ship missiles
  • Speed: 30 knots (submerged)
  • Operating Depth: 600 meters

The Arkhangelsk is the fourth Yasen-M submarine, with others in various construction stages at the Sevmash shipyard.

Nuclear Icebreaker: Yakutiya Enters Service

On December 28, the Yakutiya, a Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker, officially joined the fleet at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. These civilian icebreakers are vital for maintaining year-round navigation along the Northern Sea Route.

• Specifications:
  • Displacement: 33,540 tons
  • Dimensions: 173.3×33×10.5 meters
  • Propulsion:
    • Two RITM-200 nuclear reactors
    • Speed: 22 knots
    • Reactor Fuel Life: 7 years

The Yakutiya is the fourth icebreaker in the Arktika series, with two more under construction to further bolster Russia’s Arctic capabilities.

Strategic Implications

Apart from the civilian icebreaker Yakutiya, all these vessels are armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, a weapon extensively used in Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. These additions reflect the Russian Navy's focus on modernizing its fleet, securing Arctic resources, and enhancing its strategic deterrence.

As tensions continue in Eastern Europe and the Arctic, these ships underline Russia's commitment to maintaining a robust naval presence. The December 2024 milestones not only showcase technological advancements but also highlight the importance of strategic maritime assets in Russia's broader geopolitical ambitions.