Putin's Army's Newest Secret Killer

Vasily Bykov of Project 22160 of the Russian Navy.

Project 22160 ships combine the seaworthiness and firepower of cruisers. This is explained by their versatility in combat use: protection of territorial waters and naval bases, patrolling of the 200-mile exclusive economic zone, escorting cargo ships.

With modern weapons can fight all ground, sea and air targets. Relatively small size (length - less than 100 meters), with displacement of 1,800 tons, they have a range of 6000 nautical miles at a speed of 30 knots.

Project 22160 corvettes have a service life (up to 60 days) twice as long as much larger ships: such as the project 11356 destroyer (Admiral Grigorovich) with a displacement of 4000 tons.

These impressive figures for such a small ship are made possible by a 34,000-horsepower total propulsion system, a streamlined hull design and modern navigation equipment.

The hull has a compact angular shape, the superstructure is designed with the use of stealth technology. And the upper deck is protected by a special transparent composite coating.

The ship's electronic equipment includes the Pal-N navigation radar and the Positive-ME1 target detection radar system. In addition, the ship is equipped with technical means for tracking and detecting frogmen - commandos, enemy submarines and torpedoes, which are indispensable when performing escort missions for larger ships. On the aft deck there is a hangar for small assault and landing craft and multi-purpose helicopters.

The latest Russian corvette carries quite powerful weapons for a ship of such small displacement. Weapons and equipment can vary, depending on the specific mission. The ship's "main gun" is a modern version of the 76.2 mm caliber (AK-176MA).

It is effective against both surface and air targets, firing at a rate of up to 120 rounds per minute. Standard rounds would be enough to cause serious trouble even for a large ship.

The stern has a vertical launch system for Kalibr-type cruise missiles or P-800 Onix (Yakhont) anti-ship cruise missiles, as well as the Gibka air defense system (with Igla-S or Verba "missiles") or Shitil-1 (its missiles are similar to those of the ground-based Buk system).

To protect against commandos - frogmen, the ship is equipped with a 55 mm DP-65 multi-purpose grenade launcher. And to combat pirates and smugglers there are two large-caliber machine guns (14.5 mm).

Model of stealth missile frigate project 22160.

Project 22160 corvettes will become part of the "mosquito fleet", the formation of which has long been discussed in the expert community. In 2014-2018, the Russian Navy received six small missile ships of project 21631 "Buyan-M" (there will be 11).

Completion of two more ships of project 22800 "Karakurt" (12 ships are planned to be built). These two naval combat platforms combine small displacement (under 1000 tons) and powerful strike weapons - "Kalibr". Project 22160 corvettes with a large range of operations in distant waters, and "children" - "Buyanov" and Karakurt - perform the task of protecting home waters.

On the other hand, due to powerful weapons, stealth properties and high speed, a small group of ships can pose a threat even to an aircraft carrier. And no rival navy can feel confident near the territorial waters of the Russian Federation.