Reports indicate that plans to build a series of stealth warships for the Russian Navy, known as Project 20386, have been abandoned due to cost considerations. The project aimed to construct at least 10 corvettes based on the existing Steregushchiy and Gremyashchiy classes of vessels, but with larger dimensions and a more stealthy design.

The lead ship of the class was initiated in October 2016, with construction taking place at the Severnaya Verf (Northern Shipyard) in St Petersburg. It was initially expected to be completed and commissioned by 2020. However, sources suggest that the estimated cost of the project made it unfeasible to produce the corvettes in the desired quantities compared to other ongoing projects. As a result, the decision has been made to discontinue the construction of the Project 20386 corvettes in their current form, effectively closing the program.

Nonetheless, it is reported that the shipyard and the Amur Shipbuilding Plant will continue with other projects. The Project 20386 corvettes were envisioned as modern and versatile warships capable of engaging surface targets with guided missiles, detecting submarines with torpedoes, and carrying out patrol and surveillance missions. These vessels incorporated stealth technology, including reduced radar cross-section and infrared signatures, to enhance their survivability and reduce detectability.

The role of Russia’s naval capabilities in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains uncertain. In the early stages of the invasion, Russia suffered significant setbacks, such as the destruction of the Black Sea Fleet flagship Moskva in April 2022, which Ukraine claimed was the result of missiles it had launched. Ukrainian military intelligence deputy chief Major General Vadym Skibitsky stated in May that Russia had relocated most of its Black Sea Fleet warships from their primary base in Crimea to safer waters away from maritime drones.

Meanwhile, the Russian Navy is expected to acquire two additional nuclear submarines by the end of the year. According to Aleksey Rakhmanov, head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, a Borei-A class and a Yasen-M class submarine will enter service within the next six months. Russia’s submarine fleet is generally regarded as superior to its surface naval fleet.

Source: With Agencies