Russia launches new Project 20380 corvette

Russia launched its seventh Project 20380 Steregushchiy-class corvette at Severnaya Shipyard in St Petersburg on 12 March.

Retivy during its launch at Severnaya Shipyard on 12 March. (Oleg Kuleshow)

Retivy , which is the fifth ship of the class built at the yard, is intended to serve with the Russian Navy’s Black Fleet. This will make it the first Project 20380 corvette to join the Black Sea Fleet.

Two additional Project 20380-class ships are currently under construction at Severnaya Shipyard and two more are being built at the Amur Shipyard in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in Russia’s Far East. Three more advanced Project 20385 and 20386 variants of the class are being worked on at Severnaya Shipyard or undergoing sea trials.

Speaking at the launch event, deputy Russian defence minister Alexei Krivoruchko said Severnaya Shipyard was expecting to receive an additional order for either Project 22350 or Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates. Two of the frigates have entered Russian Navy service and four others are in various stages of construction at the St Petersburg yard, but the minister gave no indication as to how many new ships would be added to that order.

I want to assure you, the staff, that the book of orders formed and signed with enterprises of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, in particular, with [its] Severnaya Shipyard, will enable it to utilise its capacities at least in the next ten years, Krivoruchko, was reported as saying by TASS on 12 March. “In the near future, we also expect and will lay the keels of additional frigates.