The Russian republic of Tatarstan Shipbuilders has unveiled a second Gepard Class frigate, the Dagestan, for the Russian Navy, Zelenodolsk Shipyard has said.

The 102m-long Dagestan has a displacement capacity of 2,000t and can carry a crew of 103 at a cruising speed of 23kt.

The frigate is armed with the Uran-E anti-ship missile system, a 76.2mm gun mount AK-176M, a Palma air defence artillery system, two 30mm gun mounts AK-630M, and 533mm torpedo tubes.

A Gepard Class frigate can carry a Ka-28 or a Ka-31 Helix naval helicopter and is designed to attack surface ships, submarines and air targets as well as perform escort and patrol tasks.

The frigate is expected to join the Caspian Flotilla in 2011 after undergoing a series of sea trials, according to RIA Novosti.

The first frigate, the Tatarstan, has been serving the Russian Navy as the flagship of the Caspian Flotilla since 2002.