Article Posted on : - Mar 22, 2013

Caspian frigate 'Dagestan'

MOSCOW (BNS): The Russian Caspian Flotilla will receive two rapid attack missile craft and auxiliary vessels this year, the Southern Military District has said.

The Uglich and Grad Sviyazhsk missile corvettes, a Grachonok class high-speed special purpose boat, several Serna class landing craft, and three tugboats will join the Caspian Flotilla, the strategic command said in a statement.

According to Russian news agency Ria Novosti, the Project corvettes have a displacement of 949 tons and maximum speed of 25 knots.

The corvettes are armed with Kalibr (SS-N-27) anti-ship missiles, 100-mm and 30-mm guns, as well as Igla-1M air defence systems.

The ships' will be used to protect Russia's offshore economic zones and engage enemy warships along littoral areas.

The Grachonok class boats are designed for protection of naval installations in littoral zones.

The Serna class landing craft is 25.8 meters long with a displacement of 61 tons. It can carry a tank or two infantry fighting vehicles or a 92-men landing party.

The Caspian Flotilla is the oldest Russian military flotilla, stationed in the Caspian Sea. It conducts anti-terrorist activities, is involved in protection of trade, protection of state interests in the areas of oil deposits.