New Russian warship Provornyy launched after devastating fire
5:43 PM EDT, June 19, 2024
Russia is gradually modernizing its fleet. One of the new additions is the Project 20385 corvettes (Gremyashchiy type). The first ship was launched in 2020, and the next one, Provornyy, was launched in June this year in St. Petersburg. What kind of ship is it, and what are its capabilities?
The press service of the Russian Ministry of National Defense announced the launch of the new ship. The Provornyy corvette was launched and docked at a location where finishing and equipping work will continue.
It is worth recalling that in December 2023, a fire broke out on the under-construction Russian ship Provornyy. The corvette was nearly complete at the time, and the presence of weapon systems on board (though without ammunition) made the fire very intense and difficult to control.
The situation was further complicated by numerous gas cylinders on and below the deck, used during welding work. The ship was so severely damaged that scrapping it was considered, but it was ultimately decided to repair the burned-out hull.
Project 20385 corvettes
The result of the work is a new corvette designed for the Pacific Fleet. The Provornyy corvette represents Project 20385, a development of the slightly older Project 20380. Russia plans to build six ships of this type.
Although these ships are classified as corvettes due to their displacement of around 2,800 tons, their sensors and armament lead NATO to consider them equivalent to frigates. Ships of this type are 348 feet long and 43 feet wide and are equipped with an AESA radar of the Zaslon type.
Besides a 100-mm gun and two 30-mm CIWS AK-630M systems, they are armed with two torpedo launchers, as well as one 8-cell VLS launcher from which Kalibr, Oniks, or Tsirkon missiles can be launched. A second 16-cell VLS launcher is intended for the air defense missiles of the S-350 system.
