Russia launches tiny frigate that makes NATO tremble

Russia's new Karakurt-class missile frigates, although displacing only 800 tons, are equipped with long-range attack weapons of up to 2,500 km.

Business Insider reported the launching ceremony.Karakurt missile frigate, the ship numbered 577 Typhoon took place quite quietly on November 24. This is the second ship in the class of missile frigates designed for coastal combat missions.

The Russian Navy plans to build about 18 ships of this type. The Karakurt-class missile frigate is 65 meters long, 10 meters wide, has a draft of 2 meters, and a displacement of 800 tons. Compared to the US littoral combat ship (LCS) with the same role, the displacement of the Karakurt is only about a quarter.

The Russian Navy seems to have always had difficulty building new heavy warships, instead choosing to build new small, heavily armed warships. The Russian Navy once used Buyan-M class corvettes with a displacement of about 900 tons to attack IS targets in Syria with long-range cruise missiles.

Karakurt-class missile frigates are expected to be the next generation of warships for the Russian Navy in the next 20 years. Photo: bastion-karpenko.ru

Karakurt is said to be a modernized version of the current successful Buyan-M class missile frigate of the Russian Navy. The ship has a hydrodynamic design based on stealth technology, making it a more difficult target to detect at sea. The ship can operate at sea continuously for 15 days, with an operating range of about 2,500 nautical miles.

Although considered “tiny” compared to the giant US warships, Karakurt possesses fearsome attack capabilities. The ship is equipped with 8 vertical launch tubes containing P-800 Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles, or Kalibr-NK land-attack cruise missiles.

The Kalibr-NK missile has a range of up to 2,500 km, and has been used by Russia to destroy IS targets in Syria. Meanwhile, the P-800 has a range of about 500 km, making it one of the world's most fearsome anti-ship killers.

In addition, Karakurt is also armed with the AK-176MA 76.2 mm naval gun, which has a firing rate of 150 rounds/minute and a combat range of 15 km. The gun can attack surface and air defense targets very effectively. Regarding air defense, Karakurt is equipped with the naval version of the Pantsir-M integrated air defense system.

Despite having a displacement of only 800 tons, Russia's Karakurt-class missile frigates possess power that is not inferior to US destroyers. Photo: Thai Military.

Pantsir-M consists of two 30mm rapid-fire guns and eight surface-to-air missiles. The system can deal with air targets at a distance of 20 km. In terms of firepower, Karakurt possesses attack capabilities that are not inferior to US heavy warships and are completely superior to LCS.

Karakurt carries Kalibr-NK land-attack cruise missiles that will keep the entire Europe within range. Its stealth and high maneuverability make it harder to attack at sea. The small warship with long-range strike capabilities will effectively deter NATO's intentions towards Russia./.

According to Kienthuc