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Russian Navy Slava-class Cruiser Marshal Ustinov to Start Sea Trials in Late October.

20 Sep, 2016 21:12 | 2016

Naval Forces News - Russia

Russian Navy Slava-class Cruiser Marshal Ustinov to Start Sea Trials in Late October

The Russian Navy Northern Fleet’s Project 1164 (NATO reporting name: Slava-class) Marshal Ustinov guided missile cruiser currently being repaired and upgraded at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard in Severodvinsk in north Russia will start undergoing running trials in late October, Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov told TASS.

A starboard bow view of the Slava Class Russian guided missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov underway. Picture: US Navy

Yevmenov made this statement after an inspection onboard the ship. "The cruiser is expected to go to sea for trials in late October, which has been specified in the final report," the shipyard’s press office said. According to the press office, the ship’s dock trials are nearing completion.

"The cruiser Marshal Ustinov is expected to leave the Zvyozdochka Shipyard before the end of the year to arrive at the main base [in accordance with the contract]," the press office said.

According to the Zvyozdochka Shipyard, the cruiser started undergoing dock trials in April 2016. As of today, more than 50% of the program of the ship’s dock trials has been fulfilled but the work is behind the schedule. "The shipyard is also expected to adjust main engines control systems, repair refrigerating machines and carry out recommissioning work on the ship’s electrical power system control complex," the press office said. "Delays can be explained by the fact that the Zvyozdochka Shipyard specializing in submarine repair and upgrade is dealing with this type of work for the first time. Some subcontractors have turned out to be unprepared for this work as well," the press office added.

The cruiser Marshal Ustinov arrived at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard in June 2011 to undergo planned repair. In November 2012, the cruiser was brought to slipways. Various systems were repaired and the cruiser’s outer hull and tanks were painted. In June 2013, the cruiser was floated out for its further upgrade afloat.

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Recent picture of Marshal Ustinov in final stages of refit and modernization at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard in Severodvinsk in north Russia.

Navy Recognition's comment:
According to various sources, the Marshal Ustinov is being fitted with an advanced missile system, probably, the Kalibr (SS-N-27 Sizzler) or Oniks (SS-N-26 Strobile). The upgrade will provide the cruiser with the Podberyozovik three-dimensional long-range target acquisition radar and Fregat-M2M sea-skimming target acquisition radar. There have been statements that the ship will not receive advanced air defense missile systems.

The Project 1164 Atlant-class cruisers are designed for dealing with enemy surface combatants and providing combat stability of Russian task forces in remote corners of the ocean. The development of the class began in the later 1970s. Four cruisers were built, of which three are in the Russian Navy’s inventory. The cruisers in the class displace a total of 11,500 tons and measure 186 m in length. They have a full speed of 32 knots, a range of 7,500 nm at 18 knots, a 130-mm AK-130 gun, antiship and air defense missile systems, 30-mm AK-630M antiaircraft guns and torpedoes. They can carry a Kamov Ka-27 (Helix) helicopter or derivatives thereof.

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Russian Navy Slava-class Cruiser Marshal Ustinov to Start Sea Trials in Late October.