Russia: Third multi-purpose frigate "Gorshkov" class in the Baltic Sea

The multi-purpose frigates of the "Admiral Gorshkov" class (project 22350, 135 metres, 4,500 tonnes) were to be built in 2014 in a series of fifteen units and quickly replace various specialised, but also expensive and complex old-build frigates. This was the time of the launch and christening of the second platform with the name "Admiral Kasatonov" - the "Admiral Gorshkov" took another two years to enter service. However, it was also the year in which the keel was laid at the Severnaya Verf in St. Petersburg for construction number three, the "Admiral Golovko", which is now undergoing functional trials in the Baltic Sea after being fitted out until November. It was originally intended to be the first operational hypersonic weapon carrier, but the delayed construction programme and the political time pressure in Moscow made it necessary to equip the type ship with the first serial FKs and send it out into the world immediately after its first test firing of the "Zircon" in the North Sea - briefly refreshed technically in Kronstadt. The "Admiral Golovko" can be expected to enter service at the end of the year or early 2024 - then with hypersonic weapons!