Russia Navy Black Sea Fleet receives new corvette Tsiklon with Pantsir M air defense.

According to information published by Sev on July 12, 2023, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, the Navy Commander-in-Chief, recently oversaw the integration of the Karakurt class corvette Tsiklon into the Russian Navy.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Russia's Karakurt class corvette Tsiklon. (Picture source: Ruptly)

The corvette Tsiklon isn't just another ship in the fleet; it signifies a monumental milestone for Russian naval technology. The vessel was fully constructed and tested at the Kerch Shipyard, making it the first warship in twenty-five years to complete such an extensive developmental cycle at this facility.

Equipped with the latest air defense systems, such as the Pantsir-M, and capable of carrying eight Kalibr cruise missiles, Tsiklon is a testament to Russia's military shipbuilding prowess.

The Pantsir-M is an advanced navalized version of the land-based Pantsir-S1 system, tailored to meet the needs of the maritime environment.

The main purpose of the Pantsir-M is to provide close-in air defense for naval vessels. It is capable of engaging a wide variety of targets including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), precision-guided munitions, and even small surface vessels. As naval threats have diversified in recent years, especially with the rise of UAVs and precision-guided munitions, the need for a system like Pantsir-M has become more critical.

Technical data

Measuring 67 meters in length, with a beam of 11 meters and a draft of 3.3 meters, these ships are easily maneuverable. Their displacement stands at around 800 tons, increasing to 860 tons after the first two vessels.

Powering the Karakurt-class is a CODAD propulsion system, featuring three Zvezda M-507D1 112 c or 16D49 16D500 12V ZE1600KZ diesel engines. This configuration ensures high reliability and operational efficiency, enabling the ships to reach a maximum speed of 30 knots. Additionally, three diesel generators DGAS-315 complement the propulsion system for added redundancy.

In terms of range and endurance, the Karakurt-class is capable of covering up to 2,500 nautical miles without refueling, and they can remain at sea for up to 15 days. This extended operational capacity makes them suited for a wide range of missions, including patrol, escort, and assault duties.

The Karakurt-class is manned by a crew of 50 to 70, depending on the mission requirements. Despite its size, the ship hosts a broad spectrum of sensors and processing systems, including Mineral-M radar, Pozitiv-M 1.2 3D radar, AESA type radar, Pal-N-4, and a 5P-10-03 Laska Fire-control radar for naval gun and AK-630 CIWS operations. The ship also carries the Satellite communication station Tsentavr-NM for extended communication capabilities.

When it comes to armament, the Karakurt-class is heavily armed for her size. Tsiklon carries 1 × 76.2 mm 59-caliber AK-176MA or 100 mm A-190 automatic dual-purpose guns, providing significant firepower against both naval and aerial threats.