Article Posted on : - May 14, 2009

A File Photo of Russia Yaroslav Mudry frigate.

KALININGRAD (BNS): Russia's newest frigate, the Yaroslav Mudry, has started state-commissioned sea trials in the Baltic Sea, a spokesman for the Yantar shipyard said.

"After the trials, the ship will undergo a final inventory check, and will be handed over to the Russian Defense Ministry in mid-June," the official said as, quoted by Russia news agency RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

Earlier reports said the frigate was due to enter service in April. The construction of the Yaroslav Mudry has taken almost 19 years, due to financing shortages.

On May 4, during preliminary sea trials the frigate suffered minor damage when a Ka-27 helicopter crash-landed on the deck and fell into the sea.

According to the news agency, "The crash of the Baltic Fleet's Ka-27 helicopter, whose rotor blades damaged the ship's bulkhead, had practically no effect on the schedule of the state-commissioned trials and the deadline for the ship's handover [to the Defense Ministry]."

The frigate has a water displacement of 4,250 metric tons and a maximum speed of 30 knots. It is armed with air defense systems, anti-ship missiles, a 100-mm artillery mount, depth charges, and a Ka-27 helicopter.

The frigate is the second vessel in the 11540 Yastreb series after the Neustrashimy, which recently took part in an anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden.