Russia's Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates are designed to be the backbone of its modern navy.

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: These stealth-capable warships represent a significant shift in Russian naval strategy. Moving beyond the specialized roles of Soviet-era vessels, the Project 22350 class is built for versatility, ranging from long-range strikes to anti-submarine warfare. As production scales, these frigates are becoming the primary surface combatants for the Russian fleet.

The Admiral Gorshkov class, or Project 22350, was designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau to replace the aging Neustrashimy and Krivak-class frigates. Approved by Naval Command in July 2003, the program aims to modernize Russia's surface fleet with ships capable of executing multiple mission profiles. The lead ship, Admiral Gorshkov, was laid down in February 2006 at the Severnaya Verf shipyard in Saint Petersburg and commissioned in July 2018. These vessels incorporate stealth technology to reduce their radar cross-section, a departure from their predecessors.

The development of the class faced significant hurdles, particularly regarding propulsion. The first two ships relied on gas turbines from Ukraine, but supply chains were severed following the 2014 annexation of Crimea. This forced Russia to commission NPO Saturn to develop indigenous engines. By November 2020, the United Engine Corporation began delivering the DGTA M55R diesel-gas power plant, ensuring future vessels like Admiral Isakov would not depend on foreign technology. The ships are also equipped with advanced defensive systems, such as the Poliment-Redut air defense missile system and the 5P-42 Filin electro-optic countermeasure system, which uses strobe-like beams to disorient enemy combatants at night.

Looking ahead, the program is expanding into more potent variants. While the initial frigates carried 16 vertical launch system (VLS) cells, later iterations are expected to carry up to 32, with the proposed Project 22350M—dubbed 'Super Gorshkov'—potentially carrying 64. These upgraded ships, with a displacement of up to 8,000 tons, are designed to fire a variety of cruise missiles, including the hypersonic Zircon. As of early 2026, ten vessels have been ordered, with the Russian Navy expressing a requirement for at least 15 to 30 frigates to maintain its operational capabilities across its various fleets.

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