Kalibr missile being fired from a Russian warship

Russia has begun developing a modernised frigate under Project 22350, that is capable of carrying 48 Kalibr cruise missiles.

"The Northern Design Bureau has completed designing frigates of Project 22350M capable of carrying up to 48 Kalibr cruise missiles,” TASS quoted a source from the design bureau as saying Sunday.

The Kalibr missiles were used by Russia in Syrian operations. The Kalibr is Russian group of surface ship-, submarine-launched and airborne anti-ship and coastal anti ship (AShM), land attack cruise missiles (LACM) and anti-submarine missiles.

The country also plans to develop ground-launched, longer range version of the Kalibr cruise missile in 2019-2020, Sputnik quoted Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying in early February. The longer range version could be in excess of 310 mile range which is the limit imposed under the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.

The frigates under development are expected to have a displacement of up to 7,000 tonnes. The ships in this class had a displacement of 4,500 tonnes, and capacity to carry up to 16 Kalibr cruise missiles previously.

Lead frigate Admiral Gorshkov of Project 22350 is part of the Navy’s Northern fleet. The country will begin testing its home-grown hypersonic rocket, Zircon, from the lead frigate this year.

The Admiral Kasatonov which is the second ship of the Admiral Gorshkov-class is currently undergoing trials.