Admiral Grigorovich frigate. IMAGE: Alexander Karpushkin/TASS
The Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet announced on March 27 that three frigates operating within its permanent Mediterranean taskforce had conducted new drills.
“The surface action group comprising the three frigates Admiral Grigorovich, Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen conducted missile and artillery fire against sea and air targets. Under the drills’ scenario, the notional enemy’s naval group launched a missile attack on the Black Sea Fleet’s naval taskforce,” the feet’s press office said in a statement.
The frigates conducted electronic launches of Shtil-1 missiles to intercept hostile missiles, notionally fired Kalibr cruise missiles, practiced joint maneuvering, held communications, trained on anti-submarine warfare and air-defense means for protection during their transit at sea.
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Admiral Grigorovich, Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, all launched after 2014, are Project 11356Р/М frigates. Each can be armed with eight Kalibr missiles and up to 24 Shtil-1 anti-aircraft missiles.
Thanks to their advanced heavy armament, Project 11356R/M frigates can engage all types of naval and ground targets while defending against aerial threats.
The Black Sea Fleet’s Mediterranean taskforce is often stationed off the shores of Syria, near the Navy’s strategic base in Tartus.
