Vladimir Putin called the beginning of a long-range sea voyage of the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, equipped with Zirkon hypersonic missile systems, an important, significant event.

On Wednesday, January 4, the President took part in the ceremony of entering the ship into combat service via videoconference.

The head of state stressed that the lead frigate of project 22350 is armed with Zircon missile systems, which have no analogues in the world, and other systems of the latest generations.

In this regard, Putin thanked the specialists of the military-industrial complex, who developed and began to mass-produce hypersonic weapons.

“I am sure that such powerful weapons will reliably protect Russia from potential external threats and will help ensure the national interests of our country,” he said.

According to the President, Russia will continue to develop the combat potential of its armed forces, produce advanced models of weapons and equipment that will guard the country's security in the coming decades.

  • The exit of the frigate "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov" from the base

Shoigu - about the campaign "Admiral Gorshkov"

Also participating in the ceremony of entering the ship into combat service, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu, specified that the Admiral Gorshkov was going on a long sea voyage across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.

“The main efforts during the campaign will be focused on countering the threats to Russia, maintaining regional peace and stability jointly with friendly countries.

During the exercises, trainings, the actions of the crew on the use of hypersonic weapons and long-range cruise missiles in various conditions will be worked out, ”the minister said.

According to him, the Admiral Gorshkov is a modern multi-purpose ship with guided missile weapons, designed to solve problems in the far sea and ocean zones.

The frigate is capable of inflicting pinpoint and powerful strikes against the enemy at sea and on land.

At the same time, Shoigu noted the advantages of the Zircon missiles, which the ship is equipped with.

“A feature of the Zircon hypersonic missiles is the ability to reliably overcome any modern and promising air defense systems - missile defense.

The missile's flight speed is more than 9 Machs, and the range is over 1,000 km, ”the head of the Ministry of Defense specified.

In turn, the commander of the frigate, Captain 1st Rank Igor Krokhmal, reported via video link: “The ship went through a full cycle of preparations for the campaign.

The ship is loaded with ammunition for missiles of the Zircon and Caliber complexes, air defense systems, torpedo weapons and artillery.

The crew of the ship is ready to carry out the tasks of combat service.

lead ship

The frigate "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov" was launched in October 2010, but it was transferred to the Navy only in 2018, and in 2021 the ship was converted to use Zircon missiles, the start of serial deliveries of which was previously announced Sergei Shoigu.

According to the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Project 22350 frigates are designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including the destruction of surface ships, convoys, landing parties, search and destruction of submarines and ground targets, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and anti-missile defense of ships and ships .

Also in the list of tasks facing such ships are mentioned joint actions with amphibious assault forces and patrol service, protection of state borders, protection of civilian ships and production facilities in crisis and dangerous areas of the oceans for navigation.

As follows from USC data, the displacement of Project 22350 frigates is 5 thousand tons, length - 135 m, width - 16 m, speed - up to 29 knots (53.7 km / h), cruising range - up to 4.5 thousand sea miles (about 8.3 thousand km).

The autonomy of such ships reaches 30 days, the crew includes at least 170 people.