The Project 11356 Admiral Grigorovich Class frigates are constructed at Yantar Shipyard, based in Kaliningrad, for the Russian Navy. The vessels utilise the same design developed for the Indian Navy’s Talwar Class frigates.

The Admiral Grigorovich Class frigates can be deployed in anti-surface warfare (AsuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-air warfare (AAW) missions. They are capable of conducting missions as a single vessel or as part of a task force.

The Russian Ministry of Defence signed two contracts with Yantar Shipyard, between 2010 and 2011, for the construction of six Project 11356 frigates. The keel of the first ship in the series, Admiral Grigorovich, was laid down in December 2010, and the vessel was floated out of dry-dock in March 2014.

The second ship, Admiral Essen, was laid in July 2011; Admiral Makarov was laid in February 2012; Admiral Butakov was laid in July 2013; and Admiral Istomin was laid down in November 2013.

Admiral Essen was launched in November 2014 and commissioned in June 2016. Admiral Makarov was floated out in September 2015 and commissioned into service in December 2017. The sixth and final frigate in class, Admiral Kornilov, was floated out in November 2017.

The Russian Navy plans to induct the Project 11356 frigates into its Black Sea Fleet.

Design and features of the Admiral Grigorovich Class frigates

The Admiral Grigorovich Class incorporates a stealthy hull design developed by the Severnoye Design Bureau. The hull and superstructures were designed to have low radar, acoustic and infrared signatures. The frigate features a flight deck at aft to carry a Ka-28 or a Ka-31 helicopter.

The frigate measures 124.8m in overall length, 15.2m in width and can complement a crew of 220. The draught at full-load displacement is 4.6m, while the standard and full-load displacements of the vessel are 3,350t and 3,860t respectively.

Admiral Grigorovich Class missiles

The Club-N missile system fitted on board the frigate serves as the anti-ship missile. The missiles are launched by an eight-cell 3S-14E under-deck launcher, complemented by a 3R-14N-11356 fire control system and 3C-25E acquisition radar.

Anti-aircraft defence is provided by Shtil-1 medium-range air defence missile system, Igla man-portable surface-to-air missile system and Kashtan air defence missile / gun system, including up to six fire modules, a command module, storage and reloading system, 64 missiles, and 6,000 rounds of 30mm ammunition. The Shtil-1 complex is equipped with a 3S90E launcher and 3R90E1 fire control system. It can simultaneously engage up to 12 targets within a range of 3.5km to 32km.

Artillery and ASW weapons

The main gun fitted on the forward bow deck is an A190E 100mm gun, featuring a 5P-10E fire control system that enables effective tracking and engagement of multiple targets. The А190 naval gun can fire high-explosive (impact fuse) and AA (time fuse) ammunition at a rate of 80 rounds a minute for ranges of more than 20km.

The ASW capability is provided by two DTA-53-11356 twin torpedo tubes and an RBU-6000 depth charge rocket launcher firing 90R ASW rockets and RGB-60 depth rocket bombs.

Sensors and countermeasures

The Admiral Grigorovich Class is equipped with hull-mounted sonar, SNN-137 towed active array sonar, Fregat-M2EM air/surface search radar, and MR-212 / 201-1 and Nucleus-2-6000A navigation radars.

Countermeasures are provided by ASOR-11356 Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) system and PK-10 close-range decoy dispensing system. The PK-10 system, which includes KT-216-E decoy dispenser, A3-SR-50 radar decoy round and A3-SO-50 / A3-SOM-50 electro-optical decoy round, protects the vessels from incoming radar or electro-optical guided weapons.

Propulsion

The combined gas and gas (COGAG) propulsion system, integrating two cruise turbines and two boost turbines, powers the Admiral Grigorovich Class. The main propulsion plant generates a maximum power output of 56,000hp.

The frigates are also fitted with four WCM 800/5 diesel-alternators, producing 3,200kW electricity for shipboard systems. The propulsion system ensures a maximum speed of 30k and cruising range of 5,000nmi. The vessel can continuously operate for 30 days.