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Russia Rolls Out New Missile Frigate “Admiral Amelko” With Expanded Strike Capacity
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
On August 14, the Severnaya Verf shipyard in St. Petersburg launched the Admiral Amelko frigate, the fifth vessel of Russia’s Project 22350 series.
According to the United Shipbuilding Corporation, Admiral Amelko is the first frigate of the class built in a modified configuration, featuring 24 vertical launch cells for the UKSK missile system. Previous ships of the series carried 16 such cells. The system is capable of deploying Kalibr cruise missiles, Oniks supersonic missiles, and Tsirkon hypersonic missiles.
The Admiral Amelko has a standard displacement of around 4,500 tons and a full displacement of 5,400 tons.
Its length is 135 meters, with a beam of 16.4 meters and a draft of 4.5 meters. Propulsion is provided by a Russian-built M55R combined diesel and gas turbine plant, which includes two M90FR gas turbines from NPO Saturn and two 10D49 diesel engines from the Kolomna Plant.
The ship’s maximum speed is estimated at 29 knots, with an endurance of 4,500 nautical miles and an autonomy of up to 30 days. The crew complement ranges from 180 to 210 personnel, including an aviation group.
Its weapons package includes the upgraded UKSK vertical launching system, the Poliment-Redut air defense complex with 32 cells for surface-to-air missiles, the Paket-NK anti-submarine system with two four-tube 324 mm torpedo launchers, and a 130 mm A-192M naval gun.
The ship is also equipped with Palma close-in weapon systems, electronic warfare suites, the Poliment phased-array radar, and the Sigma combat management system. A helicopter deck and hangar can accommodate Ka-27, Ka-29, or Ka-31 helicopters.
The keel for Admiral Amelko was laid on April 23, 2019, together with its sister ship Admiral Chichagov. Russian officials announced plans to deliver Admiral Amelko to the Pacific Fleet by 2027, although industry analysts note that delays in the shipbuilding sector could push the commissioning to 2028.
The Severnaya Verf shipyard is currently working on four more Project 22350 frigates: Admiral Isakov, Admiral Chichagov, Admiral Yumashev, and Admiral Spiridonov, with two additional ships expected to be laid down in 2026.
The Russian Navy presently operates three completed frigates of this class: Admiral Gorshkov, Admiral Kasatonov, and Admiral Golovko. The lead ship Admiral Gorshkov has been used in trials of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile and has conducted long-range patrols since its commissioning.
Moscow considers the Project 22350 series as a key element of its future ocean-going fleet, combining multi-role capabilities with modern missile systems.
Earlier, on August 9, the newly built Russian Navy tug Kapitan Ushakov (Project 23470) sank at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg during final outfitting works.
According to Russian investigators, flooding in the auxiliary machinery compartment caused the vessel to list and capsize overnight, leaving it on the bottom alongside the pier. The tug, laid down in 2017 and launched in 2022, was intended for the Northern Fleet but never entered service.
