Russia's New Frigate Enters Atlantic Ocean on Route to Trials

The Admiral Gorshkov frigate, the lead ship of its class, has entered the north-eastern region of the Atlantic Ocean, spokesman for the Russian Baltic Fleet Capt. 2nd Rank Vladimir Matveev said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Admiral Gorshkov is the first in a series of six Project 22350 frigates to be produced by Severnaya Verf shipyard in St. Petersburg under contract for the Russian Defense Ministry.

"At the moment the frigate, bound for state tests at the Northern Fleet's maritime target range, has passed the straits… connecting the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and entered the north-eastern part of the Atlantic," Matveev said in a statement.

The statement added that while passing the straits the crew tested the warship's navigation, communication and radar systems.

The frigate is expected to join the Russian Navy before the year is out.

The Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates have a displacement of 4,500 tons, a top speed of 29 knots, a range of 4,000 nautical miles at 14 knots, and can go for up to 15 days without resupplying.

It has a crew of 210 and an assortment of weaponry, including a 130-mm A-192 gun, the Oniks 3M55 (SS-N-26) anti-ship missiles and the Poliment-Redut shipborne air defense system.