Traditionally, the Russian naval industry manages to produce small units, whether corvettes or armed patrol boats, of very good quality and remarkably armed. The new stealth corvette Gremyashchiy, first unit of the eponymous class of project 20385, which will enter service with the Pacific Fleet before the end of 2019, does not deviate from it, on the contrary.
Indeed, this ship of 2.500 tons and 106 m long, carries an arsenal comparable to that found, in Europe, on ships two to three times larger, such as the Franco-Italian FREMM, or the Type 26 British. Thus, the Gremyashchiy carries a 100 mm A-190 cannon, 8 long vertical silos to implement cruise missiles Kalibr, P-800 anti-ship missiles Onyx or RPK-9 anti-submarine missiles Teddy bear, 16 vertical silos to implement the long-range anti-aircraft system Redut, naval version of the new S-350, 2 AK-630M anti-missile self-protection systems, 2 330 mm quadruple torpedo tubes for light torpedoes Package NK which can also be used as an anti-torpedo, and two 14,5mm machine guns with manual guidance.
In terms of sensors and on-board systems, here again, the little Russian corvette impresses, with an AESA radar Zaslon whose antennas are on the integrated mast, a bow sonar Zaraya-M, a towed variable depth sonar Vyneietka, a TK-25E-5 electronic warfare system and PK-10 protection/decoy systems. By the use of composite materials and its appearance, the corvette Gremyashchiy is stealthy, and has a reduced radar signature. The autonomy of the ship, if less than that of European frigates, remains very suitable for a ship of this category, with nearly 4000 nautical miles at 14 knots, and a top speed given at 26 knots. Served by a crew of 100 men, it finally has a hangar and a platform to operate a Kamov-27 anti-submarine helicopter and reconnaissance drones.
However, the class Gremyashchiy is only a transitional class, and it will not exceed the two already largely advanced units. The second unit, the Provorny, should enter service in 2020. They are followed by more imposing corvettes, the class Mercury of project 20386, the construction of the first unit of which began in October 2016, and should enter service in 2021. This new stealth corvette will be more imposing, with a tonnage of 3400 tons for 109 meters long, but should implement armaments and systems very comparable to those of the class Gremyashchiy, and number as in type. On the other hand, the corvette will have an autonomy extended to 5000 nautical miles, and a top speed reaching 30 knots, making it suitable for escorting ships such as the aircraft carrier or heavy cruisers of the Russian Navy. This new class will include, according to forecasts released by the Russian admiralty, around ten ships, in a global effort to rapidly modernize the capabilities of the Russian fleet.