Russia lays keel for new frigate at St. Petersburg shipyard

ST. PETERSBURG, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Thursday held a keel-laying ceremony for the newest Project 22350 frigate, the Admiral Gromov, at Severnaya Verf Shipyard in St. Petersburg, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

The vessel is the ninth frigate in the Project 22350 series, designed by the Northern Design Bureau for the Russian Navy.

The ceremony was overseen by Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, who said the Project 22350 frigates had proven themselves to be reliable warships with strong strike, defense and search capabilities.

These frigates are equipped to carry all types of existing Navy missile weapons, Moiseyev said, adding that "the Navy's need for ships of this class is extremely urgent, and existing frigate construction plans and programs will definitely be implemented."

Compared to the previous eight laid down warship, the Admiral Gromov will have "considerably enhanced combat power," said the commander-in-chief.

Project 22350 frigates are designed for a wide range of missions in distant maritime and ocean zones, including air defense for naval groups, amphibious support, strikes against sea and land targets, and anti-submarine warfare, according to the defense ministry. The vessels are also equipped with a helicopter deck capable of hosting various versions of the Ka-27 helicopter.

Three Project 22350 frigates are currently deployed in Russia's Northern Fleet. Enditem