Latest Project 20380 corvette embarks on sea trials
The newest The Project 20380 (Steregushchiy-class) corvette Merkuriy pictured during sea trials in the Baltic. (Photo: WRK)
The new Steregushchiy-class corvette Merkuriy was destined for the Black Sea Fleet but the Russian Navy will have to change its plans.
The newest Project 20380 (Steregushchiy-class) corvette for the Russian Navy has begun sea trials in the Baltic.
Images of the vessel, formerly Retiviy but since renamed Merkuriy, emerged on 21 May on social media.
The vessel was laid down in February 2015 and was launched in March 2020, with the original intention of assigning it to the Black Sea Fleet.
However, this plan is likely to change as Turkey invoked a clause in the Montreux Convention that bans new vessels from entering the Black Sea during a time of war.
A total of 18 Steregushchiy-class corvettes have been ordered. Merkuriy will be the eighth Project 20380 vessel to enter Russian Navy service if it completes its trial period successfully.
The corvettes each displace 2,200t, are 104.5m long , have a beam of 11m and a draught of 3.7m.
Their maximum speed is 27kt and the vessels have a range of 3,800nmi at 14kt.
Project 20380 corvettes are armed with Kh-35, 3M-54 and Grisson missiles. The main gun is an Arsenal A190 100mm weapon supported by two 30mm six-barrelled AK-630M automatic gun mounts that can fire up to 5,000 rounds a minute with a range of 5,000m.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Steregushchy Class (Project 20380) (1-10)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios]()
NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios
As part of its effort to better prepare its capabilities for operations in contested and congested scenarios, NATO evaluated a Lithuanian ship-to-ship terminal designed to not be susceptible to enemy interference.
-
![Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear]()
Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear
The Canadian government remains tight-lipped on the timeline and funding required for the next steps of its Canadian Submarine Patrol Project, which should offer improved capabilities for the country’s navy.
-
![Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection]()
Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection
With Australia’s selection of the Mogami-class for Project Sea 3000, Mitsubishi is investigating local production in the next decade as potential export opportunities emerge.
-
![Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions]()
Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions
The new sonar is designed to equip uncrewed underwater vessels, with the potential to be used by the Royal Navy for its Atlantic Bastion and Atlantic Net missions.
