Russia launches new variant of Tarantul-class corvette

The vessel was constructed by the Vympel Shipyard in Rybinsk on the Volga River. The well-known design quantity 12418 (NATO designation: Tarantul IV), has thus far been related to ships constructed for export to India, Vietnam, and Turkmenistan. Nonetheless, the Russian incarnation of the Tarantul IV seems to be fairly completely different.

The brand new Tarantul

Development of the vessel most likely started again within the… late Nineteen Nineties. At the moment, the manufacturing of no less than three boats of challenge 12421 was initiated. This was to be a variant of the older challenge 12411 (Tarantul III) with the P-100 Moskit system with the 3M80 supersonic missiles. Nonetheless, on account of an absence of home funding and potential international consumers, solely the primary ship – R-32 – was accomplished, and has been commissioned in Could 2000. The vessel, which was nontypical for the Russian fleet, was bought to Egypt, the place it has been serving since 2016 as Ahmed Fadel.

In the meantime, the remaining models had been rusting within the yard. After an settlement with the Russian Ministry of Defence, they continued to be constructed in response to a extensively modified 12418 design.

Stupinets has a totally new, bigger superstructure and a distinct propulsion system. On the similar time, the fight system identified from the older export model 12418 was retained. All earlier variants of Tarantuls had 4 engines (in COGAG or CODAG configuration). This time there are two diesels (CODAD), more than likely Zwiezda M-507D-1. This entails a drop in pace from the “legendary” 45-47 knots to about 29.

The primary armament is the Uran antiship missile system with 3M24 subsonic missiles, 3S24 launchers and the 3R-60U hearth management system. The vary of the Uran missile reaches 130 km (as much as 260 km within the 3M24U model). All missiles could be fired in salvo, with an interval of 2-3 seconds between them. The 3R-30U system can ship the information obligatory to interact six targets concurrently. A brand new superstructure with stealth options and a bigger quantity resulted in 3S24 launchers being positioned perpendicular to the hull symmetry. Two launchers with 4 3M24 missiles every could be positioned amidships, firing on reverse sides.

Along with the Urans, the brand new Tarantul has a 76.2mm AK-176MA common gun and two six-barrel 30mm AK-630Ms – each of that are well-known weapons in new stealth turrets. There are additionally 4 KT-216 decoy launchers of PK-10 Smely system, and Igla or Verba MANPADs.

The ship has well-known digital gear, together with 3Ts25 Harpun floor goal detection and indication system, MR-123-02/3 Bagira artillery hearth management system, MR-405-1 digital warfare system, and MR-231-3 navigation radar.

Do the Tarantuls have a future?

Stupinets can be part of the 106th Brigade of floor ships, part of the Caspian Flotilla, primarily based in Kaspiysk. The ship will quickly start sea trials. Based on some Russian sources, the switch of the vessel to the Russian Navy might happen by the tip of this 12 months. A second unit of this class is below development on the similar shipyard. Its launch is claimed to happen later this 12 months.

The way forward for the brand new Tarantuls is reasonably unpromising. The 2 accomplished, most likely primarily to maintain the Vympel Shipyard alive, and strengthen the small Caspian Flotilla, are more likely to stay the one ones within the Russian Navy. This flotilla is usually identified for its “assortment” of single ships or quick sequence, which is unknown in different Russian fleets.

From the attitude of the Russian Navy, their fight capabilities (non-modern armaments and accompanying digital techniques, nearly full lack of air protection techniques) signify a step backward in comparison with the designs which might be in service (corvettes of Tasks 21631 Bujan-M and 22800 Karakurt). Export orders can even be exhausting to come back by. The explanations are the identical, plus you will get extra in worldwide markets, though most likely not for much less.

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