TASS Russian news agency
The corvette ‘Aldar Tsydenzhapov’ was laid down on July 22, 2015. During its trials, the ship used its AK-630 close-in weapon system, PK-10 122 mm electronic warfare unit, Paket anti-submarine warfare system, A-190 100 mm naval gun, and Uran anti-ship missiles to engage various types of simulated targets.
Compared with other Project 20380 family members, the ‘Aldar Tsydenzhapov’ features an improved radio-technical suite and superstructures of a different shape. The main distinctive feature of the modernized Project 20380 ship is an integrated mast with a multifunctional radar designed by JSC Zaslon. The rear superstructure of the updated corvette lacks an inverted-U-type mast. The Puma radar has been unmounted from the nose superstructure.
The ‘Aldar Tsydenzhapov’ is the first modernized Project 20380 corvette in service with the Russian Navy. Three more modernized naval platforms of the class are now being built: the Northern Shipyard (a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) builds the ‘Rezviy’ and the ‘Strogiy’, while the Amur Shipyard constructs the ‘Rezkiy’.
“The fourth [Project 20380] ship will soon follow the three existing naval platforms of the class of the Pacific Fleet. On December 15, the MoD and the Amur Shipyard inked a deal for six more corvettes,”
Director General of the Amur Shipyard Vladimir Kulakov.
The Pacific Fleet now operates three Project 20380 corvettes, namely, the ‘Sovershenniy’, the ‘Gromkiy’, and the ‘Aldar Tsydenzhapov’. The fourth surface combatant of the class, ‘Rezkiy’, is set to join the Navy in 2021.
By 2028, the Pacific Fleet will operate six Project 20380 and six Project 20385 corvettes.
