The Vympel Shipyard of United Shipbuilding Corporation has recently launched the corvette of the Molniya class / Project 12418. The vessel, intended for the Russian Navy, has been renamed “Stupinets” in honor of the urban district of Stupino in the Moscow region, after receiving modifications that brought it up to the new standard.
According to the Vympel Shipyard, the current design of the “Stupinets” incorporates modern weaponry as well as the latest navigation and communication systems. “…The ship’s architecture has also changed, improving habitability…,” as seen in the images, losing the characteristic appearance of the Tarantul class / Project 1241 corvettes.
Some of the modifications made to the new Project 12418 corvettes include replacing the P-270 Moskit missiles with eight Kh-35U anti-ship missiles, a new AK-176MA-0 76.2mm artillery system, and two AK-630M 30mm close-in weapon system turrets. Regarding detection systems, the “Stupinets” is equipped with the Mineral maritime search radar, a Pozitiv 3D air detection radar, and the MR-123-02 Baguira fire control system.
These lightweight, high-speed corvettes of Project 12418 displace about 580 tons at full load and are capable of reaching speeds of 42 knots. They have a range of approximately 2,900 nautical miles and have the facilities to operate at sea for up to 10 days.
The Russian Navy operates 19 Tarantul-class corvettes, which developed into four variants, with Project 12418 being the latest. These units are distributed among various Russian Fleets and Flotillas, with the “Ivanovets” lost in early February 2024. The vessel was sunk by a combined attack of Ukrainian naval drones, with no further details on the attack released by the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate.
Cover Image: Vympel – USC
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