As part of its first long-term deployment, the Russian Navy’s Admiral Golovko frigate conducted a series of preparatory activities and exercises in the Barents Sea in preparation for its upcoming navigation in the Atlantic. This unit, belonging to the new Admiral Gorshkov-class (Project 22350), is one of the most modern in service with Russia and is equipped with 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles, as announced by the Russian defense ministry.
Commissioned at the end of last December and part of the Northern Fleet, the Admiral Golovko is the third Project 22350 frigate in service with the Russian Navy. These units have been designed with oceanic deployment in mind, featuring a stealth design and significant surface-to-air and surface-to-surface combat capabilities.
The Russian Navy has reported that the presence of the Admiral Golovko in the Barents Sea is part of the itinerary set by the force in preparation for the frigate’s deployment over the coming months, during which it will visit various ports in other countries, without providing further details on which ports these will be.
Regarding this, the Russian Navy stated: “Today, a group of ships from the Northern Fleet has departed from Severomorsk’s roadstead and begun its long-distance deployment. The group is heading towards the Atlantic Ocean through designated areas in the Barents Sea. The group consists of the Admiral Golovko frigate, which carries long-range precision weapons, and the medium tanker Vyazma. For the frigate, accepted into service with the Russian Navy last December, this is its first long-distance deployment.”
They added: “Throughout the ship’s operational period within the Fleet’s forces, it has deployed at sea on numerous occasions, and the frigate’s equipment and weaponry have proven their reliability. The frigate has successfully conducted launch tests of all types of weaponry, including long-range precision missiles. Currently, the crew is fully prepared to meet all assigned objectives in any area of the world’s oceans.”
This is not the first long-term deployment of a Project 22350-class frigate; earlier this year, the class’s lead ship, Admiral Gorshkov, visited several ports in the Atlantic, one of the most notable being its visit to Havana at the beginning of last July. Subsequently, it set sail for the Mediterranean, recently visiting Tunisia.
Finally, aside from the confirmed deployment in the Atlantic, neither the Ministry of Defense nor the Russian Navy has confirmed whether the frigate will visit ports in allied and friendly countries in the coming months. However, recent precedents suggest possible visits to Cuba and Venezuela.
Cover photo used for illustrative purposes.
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