Frigate Admiral Isakov launched: fourth warship of Russia's Project 22350 hits water.

According to information published by Korabel on September 27, 2024, the Russian Navy has launched the frigate Admiral Isakov, the third serial vessel of the Project 22350. The event included the traditional rituals of ship blessing and champagne bottle breaking.
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Russian Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Isakov. (Picture source: Korabel)

The Project 22350 frigates represent a significant modernization for the Russian Navy. These ships are the largest surface combatants constructed by Russia since the Cold War, and they play a central role in its naval strategy, especially given the strain on Russia’s naval capabilities since the war with Ukraine.

These frigates are equipped with weapons systems, including the Kalibr and Oniks cruise missiles, which enable long-range precision strikes against both surface and land targets. They also possess advanced air defense systems like the Poliment-Redut, though some elements, particularly the phased-array radar, have faced delays. Future versions, such as the Project 22350M, are expected to incorporate hypersonic Tsirkon missiles, further enhancing their strike potential.

The inclusion of Project 22350 ships into the Northern and Pacific Fleets addresses Russia's strategic need to project power far from its shores, as these frigates are suited for missions in the "far sea zone." This is crucial, as Russia's naval presence in critical areas like the Black Sea has been contested, particularly after significant losses during the war with Ukraine. The deployment of these advanced vessels will likely help the Russian Navy recover some operational flexibility, replacing older Soviet-era ships.

Domestically produced engines, which were necessitated after Ukrainian suppliers were cut off post-2014, further underscore the class's importance as a self-reliant project for Russia’s surface fleet. Despite production delays, the Project 22350 frigates are intended to form a core part of Russia's future naval deployments across multiple fleets, helping to stabilize and sustain its naval operations in the coming years.

Technical data

The frigate Admiral Isakov has a standard displacement of 4,550 tons, increasing to 5,400 tons when fully loaded. The vessel measures 135 meters (442 feet 11 inches) in length with a beam of 16 meters (52 feet 6 inches) and a draught of 4.5 meters (14 feet 9 inches).

Capable of reaching speeds of 29.5 knots (54.6 km/h; 33.9 mph), the frigate has an impressive operational range of 4,850 nautical miles (8,980 km; 5,580 mi) at a cruising speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph). Designed for extended missions, it can remain at sea for up to 30 days and is crewed by a complement of 210 personnel.