Russia linked the sections of Project 20386 Corvette Merkuriy.

Russia`s naval shipbuilding industry has laid down several surfaced combatants, launched a submarine, and linked the sections of a Project 20386 Corvette (The Merkuriy Corvette), according to the country`s officials.

Artist impression of the new Project 20386 Corvette for the Russian Navy

"I hope that the planned construction terms will be kept. [Those programs] are vitally important for the strengthening of our fleet, maintenance of our security, and protection of the country`s interests in blue and green waters of the World Ocean," said President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during an official ceremony.

According to him, the Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF) has received more than 80 naval platforms, including three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, seven nuclear-powered attack underwater combatants and diesel-electric submarines, and 21 surface ships since 2012. "I would point out that we have sustained high rates of the Navy`s rearmament in recent years … We will support our shipbuilding industry and shore up its scientific, human, and technological potential," said Putin.

The Project 20386 Corvette ‘Merkuriy’ (originally ‘Derzkiy’) was laid down on October 28, 2016. On April 23, the first three sections of the ship were linked. The Project 20386 Corvette is designed to conduct naval operations in blue and green waters and protect maritime communications and economic assets. The ships strike surface combatants and vessels by SLCMs, destroys submarines by her onboard ASW systems, provides AD, and supports offshore landings.

The ship has a full displacement of 3,400 t and is 109 m long and 13 m wide. She produces a top speed of 30 knots and a cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles. The platform features an 80-strong crew. The Corvette is powered by a combined diesel-electric and gas turbine (CODLOG) powerplant that integrates two 27,500-hp M90FR gas-turbine engines, two electric power packs with a power output of 2,200 hp each, and a 6RP speed-reduction unit.

The new naval platform features a well-balanced armament suite, integral open-architecture information management systems, new electronic and sensor suites, and robotized devices. The surface combatant has a well-balanced crew, increased cruising range, and high speed.

The Project 20386 Corvette has been fitted with a modular armament suite that incorporates either two four-cell 3S-24 inclined launchers with the Kh-35 Uran (SS-N-25 Switchblade) ASMs or containerized launchers with the Kalibr-family missiles. Her AD is provided by two eight-cell 3S.97 Redut VLSs coupled to the Zaslon multifunctional radar that has its phased antenna arrays integrated with the tower-mast construction.

The corvette`s near-field area is protected by two AK-630M 30 mm CIWSs mounted in pair on the aft superstructure. The ship is also armed with a nose-mounted A-190-01 100 mm naval gun that can be controlled by the Zaslon radar.

The Project 20386 surface combatant carries the Paket ASW system with two four-cell SM-588 launchers for 324 mm torpedoes and anti-torpedoes. According to the open sources, the ship is fitted with the Minotavr-ISPN-M sonar with a belly antenna. The Corvette can store a Ka-27-family rotorcraft in an onboard hangar. Her sensor suite comprises electronic warfare devices and the Signa-20380 CMS (probably modernized).

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