MOSOW, February 3. /TASS/. Upgraded Project 22350M frigates outfitted with Poliment-Redut air defense systems will carry super-long-range anti-aircraft missiles to strike targets to a maximum distance of 400 km, a source in the domestic defense industry told TASS on Friday.

"The Poliment-Redut system that will be installed on improved Project 22350M frigates will eventually get heavy super-long-range missiles with the capability of striking aerial targets at a maximum distance of 400 km, in addition to medium-and long-range air defense missiles," the source said.

Presently, the Poliment-Redut launcher can fire missiles with a strike range of 150 km, the source specified.

The almost tripled capability of intercepting aerial targets will enable the Russian frigates to engage NATO long-range airborne early warning and control aircraft and organize its air defense more effectively, employing short- and medium range anti-aircraft missiles, he said.

Long-range anti-aircraft missiles will be launched from cells of the 3S14 versatile shipborne launching system installed on the Project’s frigates. The Project 22350 lead frigate Admiral Gorshkov carries two launchers for 16 missiles. Starting from the Admiral Amelko (the Project 22350 fifth warship), the frigates will be armed with four launching systems of eight missiles each. The upgraded Project 22350M frigate will already carry six launchers for 48 missiles.

TASS has no official confirmation of this information yet.

A defense industry source earlier told TASS that the ceremony of laying the keel of the Project 22350M lead frigate at the Severnaya Verf Shipyard was scheduled for 2023 immediately after a new slipway was put into operation. In all, the plans envisage building 12 upgraded Project 22350M frigates. TASS also reported that the Russian Defense Ministry is set to sign a contract with shipbuilders at the Army 2023 international arms show on building a series of six Project 22350 and Project 22350M frigates.

Project 22350 frigates

Project 22350 frigates are expected to become the Russian Navy’s most advanced warships in their class. These frigates are multi-purpose combat ships capable of effectively fighting enemy surface ships, aircraft and submarines and delivering strikes against ground and coastal installations from a range of over 1,500 km.

These warships displace 4,500 tons and can accelerate to 29 knots. They are armed with Oniks and Kalibr cruise missiles and Poliment-Redut air defense missile systems.