Gepard-class frigate

Last updated

Gepard 3.9 frigate Quang Trung (016) of Vietnam People's Navy in MILAN2022 - 2.jpg
Quang Trung - one of the two ships in the second batch of Gepard 3.9 built for the Vietnam People's Navy
Class overview
NameGepard class (Project 1166.1)
Builders Zelenodolsk Plant Gorky
Operators
Preceded by
Subclasses
  • Project 11661 Tatarstan
  • Project 11661K Dagestan
  • Project 11661E Gepard:
    • Gepard 3.9: Batch I; Batch II
    • Gepard 5.1
    • Gepard 5.3
Cost
  • 11661E (Gepard 3.9 batch I): US$175 million per ship
  • 11661E (Gepard 3.9 batch II): US$350 million per ship (price included ammunition, maintenance packages signed between Vietnam and Russia)
Built1991–2016
Planned10
Completed6
Active6
General characteristics
Type Frigate
Displacement
  • 1,500 tons (standard)
  • 1,930 tons (full load)
LengthApprox 102.4 m (336 ft) (Gepard 3.9 batch II)
Beam
  • 13.09 m (42.9 ft)
  • Approx 15 m (49 ft) (Gepard 3.9)
Draught5.7 m (19 ft)
PropulsionTwin-shaft CODOG, FPP, 2 x 14,300 + 1 x 6,000 (kW)
Speed29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Range4,000 nmi (7,000 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h)
Endurance20 days
Complement94
Sensors and
processing systems
  • MR-231-1 Pal navigation radar
  • Mineral-ME shipborne multifunctional radar system (including guidance and target designation functions for cruise missiles)
  • 5P-26/MR-352 Pozitiv-ME1/-ME1.2 3D active shipborne radars
  • 5P-10E-03E Laska fire control radar for naval gun and CIWS
  • Sonar: MGK-335EM-03 with under-keel antenna
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • EW Suite: 2 × Bell Shroud passive intercept, 2 × Bell Squat jammers,
  • Countermeasures: 4 × 16-barreled Pk-16 decoy launchers
Armament
Notes

The Gepard-class frigates, Russian designation Project 11661, is a Russian class of frigates that were intended as successors to the earlier Koni-class frigates and Grisha, and Parchim-class corvettes. The first unit of the class, Yastreb (Hawk), was laid down at the Zelenodol'sk Zavod shipyard at Tatarstan in 1991. She was launched in July 1993, after which she began fitting out; fitting was nearly completed by late 1995, when it was suspended due to lack of funds. Renamed Tatarstan, the ship was finally completed in July 2002, and became the flagship of the Caspian Flotilla. She has two sister ships, Albatross (renamed Dagestan), and Burevestnik (Storm Petrel), which was still under construction as of 2012.

Contents

Vietnam is the main operator of the class with its navy having commissioned 4 frigates - twice the size of Russia's Project 11661 inventory - and having plans to order at least 2 more.

Design

These vessels are capable of employing their weapons systems in conditions up to Sea State 5.[ citation needed ] The hull and superstructure are constructed primarily of steel, with some aluminium-magnesium being used in the upper superstructure(stealth technology). They are equipped with fin stabilizers and twin rudders, and can use either gas turbines or diesel for propulsion in a CODOG configuration.

Gepard is Russian for cheetah.

Service history

In October 2015, Dagestan, in company with three other Russian Navy ships serving with the Caspian Flotilla, launched cruise missiles at targets in Syria. The missiles flew nearly 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) over Iran and Iraq and struck targets in Raqqa and Aleppo provinces (controlled by the Islamic State) as well as Idlib province (controlled by the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front). [1] Peshmerga forces (Kurdish armed forces located in northern Iraq) published a video allegedly depicting two cruise missiles mid-flight en route to Syria. [2]

On 6 November 2024 an A-22 drone from the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck the Kaspiysk naval base and reportedly damaged both Tatarstan and Dagestan as well as one Buyan-class corvette. [3] [4]

Export

The Gepard-class was designed from the outset as a lightweight, inexpensive export vessel. Russia offers three variants of the class to the market: [5]

Vietnam

In March and August of 2011, the Vietnam People's Navy received two Gepard 3.9-class frigates ordered in 2006, built in Russia at Tatarstan's Gorky Shipbuilding Plant. In late 2011, Vietnam signed a contract for an additional batch of two ships in an anti-submarine configuration. [9] A further two ships are being considered to bring the total order up to six vessels, and that potential acquisition is likely being stalled due to sanctions towards Russia as a result of the Ukrainian conflicts. [10] [11] [12]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka began talks for the credit purchase of a Gepard 5.1 frigate in 2017 and the Sri Lankan cabinet approved the proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena for the purchase of the ship in September 2017. [13]

Ships

No. Name Namesake Project designation Builder Laid Down Launched Commissioned Fleet Status
Naval Ensign of Russia.svg Russian Navy (2)
691Tatarstan
(ex-Yastreb)
Republic of Tatarstan 11661 Zelenodolsk Shipyard 19932 July 200131 August 2003 Caspian Active
693Dagestan
(ex-Albatros)
Republic of Dagestan 11661K19941 April 2011 [14] 28 November 2012 [15] Active
Ensign of Vietnam People's Navy.svg Vietnam People's Navy (4+2)
011 Dinh Tien Hoang Đinh Tiên Hoàng 11661E (Gepard 3.9 batch I) Zelenodolsk Shipyard 10 July 200712 December 2010 [16] 23 March 2011 [17] Naval Region 4 Active
012 Ly Thai To Lý Thái Tổ 27 November 200716 March 2011[ citation needed ]22 August 2011 [18] Active
015Tran Hung Dao Trần Hưng Đạo 11661E (Gepard 3.9 batch II)24 September 2013 [19] 27 April 2016 [20] 6 February 2018Active [21]
016Quang Trung Quang Trung 24 September 2013 [19] 26 May 20166 February 2018Active [22]
---11661_ (Gepard 3.9 batch III)----Planned [12]
------

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russian Navy</span> Naval arm of the Russian military

The Russian Navy is part of the Russian Armed Forces. It has existed in various forms since 1696. Its present iteration was formed in January 1992 when it succeeded the Navy of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

<i>Akula</i>-class submarine Class of nuclear attack submarines

The Akula class, Soviet designation Project 971 Shchuka-B is a series of fourth generation nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. There are four sub-classes or flights of Shchuka-B, consisting of the original seven Project 971 boats, commissioned between 1984 and 1990; six Project 971Is, commissioned between 1991 and 2009; one Project 971U, commissioned in 1995; and one Project 971M, commissioned in 2001. The Russians call all of the submarines Shchuka-B, regardless of modifications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caspian Flotilla</span> Military unit

The Caspian Flotilla is the flotilla of the Russian Navy in the Caspian Sea.

Krivak-class frigate Class of frigates built for Soviet/Russian navy

The Krivak class, Soviet designation Project 1135 Burevestnik, are a series of frigates and patrol ships built in the Soviet Union primarily for the Soviet Navy since 1970. Later some sub-branches, like the Nerey (Nereus) were designed for coastal patrol by the KGB Border Troops. Until 1977, the ships in the class were considered to be large anti-submarine warfare vessels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaspiysk</span> City in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia

Kaspiysk is a city in Dagestan, Russia, located on the Caspian Sea, 18 kilometers (11 mi) southeast of Makhachkala. The 2010 Russian census recorded the city as being the fourth-largest in Dagestan. It is a working-class satellite city to Makhachkala.

<i>Neustrashimy</i>-class frigate 1986 class of Russian frigates

The Neustrashimy class, Soviet designation Project 11540 Yastreb (hawk), is a series of large frigates built for the Soviet Navy and currently in service with the Russian Navy. Seven ships were planned for the Soviet Navy, but the fall of the Soviet Union disrupted those plans. Two ships were completed, both currently in active service with the Russian Baltic Fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RBU-6000</span> Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher

The RBU-6000Smerch-2 is a 213 mm caliber Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher. The system entered service in 1960–1961 and is fitted to a wide range of Russian surface vessels. It consists of a horseshoe-shaped arrangement of twelve launch barrels, that are remotely directed by the Burya fire control system. It fires RGB-60 rockets, which carry unguided depth charges. The rockets are normally fired in salvos of 1, 2, 4, 8 or 12 rounds. Reloading is automatic, with individual rounds being fed into the launcher by the 60UP loading system from a below deck magazine. Typical magazine capacity is either 72 or 96 rounds per launcher. It can also be used for shore bombardment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kh-35</span> Soviet anti-ship missile

The Zvezda Kh-35 is a Soviet turbojet subsonic cruise anti-ship missile. The missile can be launched from helicopters, surface ships and coastal defence batteries with the help of a rocket booster, in which case it is known as Uran or Bal. It is designed to attack vessels up to 5,000 tonnes.

<i>Bora</i>-class corvette Russian class of guided-missile corvettes

The Bora-class, Soviet designation Project 1239, hoverborne guided-missile corvette of the Russian Navy, also bears the NATO class name "Dergach", is one of the few types of military surface effect ship built solely for marine combat purposes, rather than troop landing or transport. The first vessel produced under this designation was Sivuch, which was later renamed Bora. It is one of the largest combat sea vehicles with catamaran design.

<i>Steregushchiy</i>-class corvette Class of corvettes of the Russian Navy

The Steregushchiy class, Russian designation Project 20380, is a class of corvettes being built for the Russian Navy. Designed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, subsequent vessels were built to an improved design, incorporating the Zaslon-Redut SAM system. The ship full displacement and dimensions are large for a corvette, thus it is designated as a frigate by NATO. The Steregushchiy class has been further developed into the Gremyashchiy class and Project 20386 subclasses. The export variant is known as Project 20382 Tigr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalibr (missile family)</span> Family of Russian missiles

The Novator Kalibr, also referred to as 3M54-1 Kalibr, 3M14 Biryuza, is a family of Russian cruise missiles developed by NPO Novator (OKB-8). It first saw service in 1994. There are ship-launched, submarine-launched and air-launched versions of the missile, and variants for anti-ship, anti-submarine and land attack use. Some versions have a second propulsion stage that initiates a supersonic sprint in the terminal approach to the target, reducing the time that air defense systems have to react, while subsonic versions have greater range than the supersonic variants. The missile can carry a warhead weighing up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) of explosive or a thermonuclear warhead.

<i>Admiral Gorshkov</i>-class frigate Stealth ships of the Russian navy

The Admiral Gorshkov class, Russian designation Project 22350, is a class of frigates of the Russian Navy. The ships are being built by the Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg at a cost of $250 million per ship. The class was designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau and incorporates use of stealth technology. As of August 2020, ten vessels have been ordered for delivery by 2027. The lead ship of the class, Admiral Gorshkov, was commissioned on 28 July 2018.

Buyan-class corvette Small artillery and missile ships of the Russian Navy

The Buyan class, Russian designations Project 21630 Buyan and Project 21631 Buyan-M, are series of corvettes developed by Zelenodolsk Design Bureau for the Russian Navy. Since 2010, all subsequent vessels are being constructed as improved Project 21631 subclass, incorporating greater tonnage, stealth technology and the 3S14 vertical launching system for either Kalibr or Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles, significantly enhancing combat capabilities. The ships are primarily designed for operations within littoral zones to protect Russia's vast coastal areas. Due to the small tonnage, they can operate even within shallow parts of oceans and seas and Russia's extensive inland waterway system. The export variant is known as Project 21632 Tornado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AK-176</span> Naval gun

The AK-176 is a Soviet 76mm naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mount with a MR-123-02/76 Fire Control Radar System. It has high survivability owing to autonomous use of the gun mount controlled from the optical sight in the absence of control from the radar system, as well as a capability for fire even if power supply is lost.

<i>Admiral Grigorovich</i>-class frigate Russian class of frigates

The Admiral Grigorovich-class, Russian designation Project 11356R, is a class of frigates built by the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad for the Russian Navy and Indian Navy, with a cost of $450-500 million. Based on the Talwar class, six ships were ordered for the Russian Black Sea Fleet under two contracts in 2010 and 2011 as a complement to the Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates.

Vietnamese frigate <i>Dinh Tien Hoang</i>

Vietnam People's Navy Ship 011–Đinh Tiên Hoàng is the first Gepard-class frigate in the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN). The VPN contracted the Zelenodolsk shipyard in Russia to build the ship.

Vietnam People's Navy Ship 012–Lý Thái Tổ is a Gepard-class frigate in the Vietnam People's Navy. She was built by the Zelenodolsk shipyard in Russia under signed contract to the Vietnamese Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zelenodolsk Shipyard</span> Russian shipbuilding company

JSC Zelenodolsk Shipyard is a shipbuilding company based in Zelenodolsk, Tatarstan, Russia. It is part of the Ak Bars Holding.

References

  1. Aji, Albert; Vasilyeva, Nataliya (7 October 2015). "Russia fires cruise missiles from warships into Syria". Yahoo! News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  2. "Kurdish Video Lends Credibility to Russian Navy Caspian Sea Strike Mission Claims". USNI News. 7 October 2015.
  3. Axe, David (13 November 2024). "A Ukrainian Drone Motored 700 Miles And Blasted Three Russian Warships In One Blow". forbes.com . Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  4. @Gerashchenko_en (6 November 2024). "Reports appeard that two warships were hit in Russian Kaspiysk. The "Tatarstan" and "Dagestan" missile ships were reportedly damaged in a drone strike on the Caspian Fleet in Dagestan. Small missile ships of Project 21631 Buyan-M were also damaged" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  5. "Naval systems | Catalog Rosoboronexport". roe.ru. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  6. "Frigate (on the base of the project 11661 escort ship) Gepard 3.9 | Catalog Rosoboronexport". roe.ru. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  7. "Frigate (on the base of the project 11661) Gepard 5.3 | Catalog Rosoboronexport". roe.ru. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  8. "Frigate (on the base of the project 11661) Gepard 5.3 | Catalog Rosoboronexport". roe.ru. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  9. "Vietnam Bought Second Batch of Russian Gepard-Class Frigates". rusnavy.com. 7 December 2011. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  10. Pike, John (21 August 2014). "Project 1166.1 Gepard class". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  11. "Vietnam Receives Second Russian-Made Frigate". Defense News. Agence France-Presse. 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Vietnam raises interest in procuring improved Gepard 3.9-class frigates from Russia". Asia Pacific Defense Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  13. "Deal for Rs. 20 billion++ Russian patrol vessel this week, company chief comes in private jet". The Sunday Times . 3 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  14. "Missile ship Dagestan was launched in Zelenodolsk". rusnavy.com. 5 April 2011. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  15. "Caspian Flotilla Commissions New Corvette". rusnavy.com. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  16. "Russian shipyard built frigate for Vietnam". rusnavy.com. 14 December 2009. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  17. Работы над фрегатами "Гепард" для Вьетнама близки к завершению [Work on Gepard frigates for Vietnam close to completion]. flot.com (in Russian). 26 October 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  18. "Vietnam gets most modern patrol ship in region". Tuổi Trẻ . 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  19. 1 2 "Chi tiết thời điểm Việt Nam nhận 2 chiến hạm Gepard-3.9 mới". datviet.trithuccuocsong.vn. 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  20. "Фрегат "Гепард 3.9" тожественно спущен на воду" [The frigate "Gepard 3.9" was launched]. Zelenodolsk Plant (in Russian). 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  21. "Third Gepard frigate arrives to Vietnam from Russia". Naval Today. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  22. "Vietnam's fourth Gepard frigate arrives in Cam Ranh Bay". Jane's Information Group . Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.