Russia has launched a new warship that is being described as a “sea terminator.” This powerful vessel, named Admiral Amelko frigate, belongs to the Project 22350 Gorshkov-class frigates.
A Powerful Warship in the Making
The frigate was built at the Northern Shipyard in St. Petersburg and is the fifth ship of its class. The frigate has been designed to carry out a wide range of missions at sea, from fighting submarines to striking aircraft carriers.
The Admiral Amelko frigate represents one of the most advanced surface warships in the Russian Navy today. It is part of a class of frigates that Russia has been building to replace older Soviet-era ships. Unlike small coastal defense ships, these frigates are capable of operating in distant waters. With its advanced design, Admiral Amelko is expected to join Russia’s Pacific Fleet in the coming years.
Three other ships of this class—Admiral Gorshkov, Admiral Kasatonov, and Admiral Golovko—are already active. Several more are currently being built. The launch of Admiral Amelko frigate marks an important step in strengthening Russia’s blue-water naval power.
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Hypersonic Missile Power of Admiral Amelko Frigate
What makes this warship different from many others is its heavy missile armament. The Admiral Amelko frigate has 24 vertical launch cells for the UKSK missile system, which is more than earlier vessels of its class. These launchers can fire different types of missiles, including the deadly Tsirkon hypersonic missile, Kalibr cruise missile, and Oniks supersonic missile.
The Tsirkon missile is considered one of the fastest and most advanced weapons in the world. It can fly at hypersonic speeds and reach distances between 400 and 1,500 kilometers. Its high speed makes it extremely difficult for enemy air defenses and anti-missile systems to stop. This gives the Admiral Amelko frigate the ability to target enemy ships, including large aircraft carriers, from a safe distance.
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For air defense, the frigate has 32 additional launch cells that are part of the Poliment-Redut system. This system can shoot down aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and even some types of ballistic missiles. It uses different types of interceptors, including one that can strike targets up to 150 kilometers away. The ship’s radar system allows it to track multiple threats at the same time, providing 360-degree coverage.
The combination of offensive and defensive weapons means the Admiral Amelko frigate can perform multiple roles at sea. It can strike enemy bases or ships, defend itself from air attacks, and hunt submarines. This flexibility is why experts have described it as a “universal soldier” of the sea.
Design and Capabilities of Admiral Amelko Frigate
The Admiral Amelko frigate is built with stealth features to make it harder to detect by enemy radars. Its design reduces the radar cross-section, giving it an edge in modern naval warfare. The ship can carry helicopters such as the Ka-27, Ka-29, or Ka-31, which can be used for reconnaissance and anti-submarine missions.
The frigate is powered by the M55R combined diesel and gas turbine system, which was developed domestically after sanctions prevented the use of foreign-made engines. This propulsion system allows the ship to reach speeds of around 29 knots, or nearly 54 kilometers per hour. It has a range of about 4,500 nautical miles, which equals more than 8,000 kilometers, and it can stay at sea for about 30 days without support.
With a displacement of 5,400 tons, the Admiral Amelko frigate is not as large as some destroyers, but its firepower makes it highly capable. The ship can host a crew of 170 sailors who operate its weapons, sensors, and other onboard systems.
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To improve survivability, the ship is also fitted with advanced electronic warfare equipment. This includes systems designed to jam enemy targeting radars and confuse incoming missiles. One such system, the Filin, is built to disrupt the vision and targeting of opponents at night.
The Admiral Amelko frigate is also armed with close-range defense weapons and torpedoes for fighting submarines. When combined with its missile systems, helicopters, and stealth design, it becomes a highly versatile warship.
Its induction into the fleet adds to Russia’s efforts to strengthen its presence in distant waters. With hypersonic missile power, advanced air defenses, and anti-submarine capabilities, the Admiral Amelko frigate stands as one of the most modern warships in service with the Russian Navy.