Neustrashimy-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Category | Frigate |
| Subtype | Missile frigate |
| Manufacturer | Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad |
| Year commissioned | 1993 |
| Units | NEUTRASHIMYY, YAROSLAV MUDRYY, TUMAN |
| Current operators | 🇷🇺 Russia |
Description
The Neustrashimy class, also known as Project 11540 Yastreb, is a series of large frigates initially constructed for the Soviet Navy, with ongoing service in the Russian Navy. Despite original plans to build seven ships, the fall of the Soviet Union resulted in only two frigates being completed and launched, both currently serving in the Russian Baltic Fleet.
These ships were designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, with the Zvezda-1 integrated sonar system serving as the principal ASW sensor. The program initiated in 1986 aimed to succeed the Krivak-class frigates. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, subsequent plans were disrupted, and the project was temporarily frozen. The Yantar Yard in Kaliningrad oversaw construction, with Neustrashimy being the only ship fully completed at the time. Following this, Yaroslav Mudry (named after the medieval ruler Yaroslav the Wise) and Tuman (named after a WWII era Soviet patrol boat) also reached completion. By 2010, both Neustrashimy and Yaroslav Mudry became operational within the Baltic Fleet.
Neustrashimy first saw action in late 2008 when deployed to the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast to combat piracy, operating independently as well as in conjunction with other NATO warships and successfully thwarting pirate attempts on multiple occasions. Yaroslav Mudry experienced a tense maritime incident with the U.S. Navy in the Mediterranean in 2016, where both sides accused the other of navigational irresponsibility. This frigate was also noted for transiting through the English Channel multiple times, once being escorted by the Royal Navy.
Yaroslav Mudry also actively participated in various multinational naval exercises and port visits, such as the INDRA-2019 exercise with India, joint exercises with Iran, and anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden. Visits were also conducted to ports in Cyprus, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Salalah.
Neustrashimy underwent an extensive overhaul starting in 2014, facing delays due to difficulty in procuring parts for its Ukrainian-made engines. However, the refit was eventually complete, with the ship undergoing post-refit sea trials and rejoining the Baltic Fleet.
Based on Neustrashimy-class design, a new variant named Project 11541 "Korsar" was developed by United Shipbuilding Corporation. Korsar is envisioned to handle a variety of maritime operations, offering a choice of different armament configurations for potential customers, including anti-ship missile systems such as Kh-35, P-800 Oniks, Kalibr VLS cells, and P-270 Moskit.
The incomplete hull of the Tuman was ultimately scrapped in 2016 by the Yantar shipyard due to the inefficiency and high costs associated with finishing the build of an outdated design. This decision allowed for the reallocation of shipyard space to more contemporary and cost-effective projects.
Technical specifications
| Neustrashimy | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 4400 tons |
| Range | 4500 km at 16 knots |
| Crew | 210 members |
| Width | 15.6 m (51.2 ft) |
| Length | 129.0 m (423.2 ft) |
| Air Park | 1 Ka-27 helicopter |
| Propulsion | 2 M70 gas turbines with a power of 57,000 hp - 2 propellers |
| Thrust | 4000 hp |
| Armament | 8 Kh-35 Uran SSM; 32 SA-N-9 SAM; 1 100 mm gun; 2 CIWS; 6 torpedo tubes |
| Maximum speed | 30 knots |