TASS military observer Viktor Litovkin stressed that the Admiral Gorshkov frigate is one of the achievements of the Russian defense industry, it is a manifestation of Russian technological and scientific and technical achievementsMOSCOW, January 4.
/tass/. The long-range sea voyage of the frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov with hypersonic Zircon missiles across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, will demonstrate to the whole world the power of Russian weapons and the fact that Russia conducts its national policy and is ready to defend it with the most modern means, this opinion was expressed by TASS military observer Viktor Litovkin.
"The long-distance sea voyage of the frigate Admiral Gorshkov is, firstly, a demonstration of the flag, that is, a demonstration of its presence in the world ocean. Russia shows that it is located where it corresponds to its national interests, without looking at anyone: neither the United States, nor NATO, nor any other ill-wishers. We conduct our national policy and demonstrate that we are ready to defend it with the most modern means," the expert said.
Litovkin stressed that the Admiral Gorshkov frigate is one of the achievements of the Russian defense industry, it is a manifestation of Russian technological and scientific and technical achievements, especially since the Admiral Gorshkov is almost equal to a cruiser in terms of a set of weapons. It is armed not only with hypersonic missiles "Zircon", in the same "launch cups" there are supersonic anti-ship missiles "Onyx", cruise missiles "Caliber".
"The most important thing is that these "launch cups" are universal, they can launch all three types of missiles, although they are fundamentally different in purpose and class. This is an achievement of our shipbuilders, our scientists, our engineers," Litovkin stressed.
Long-distance hike
The crew will have a long trip across the Atlantic, Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. "Our frigate goes to the Atlantic Ocean, it practically passes off the coasts of all NATO countries, not only Great Britain, Denmark, France, Portugal. It goes along the coast of the USA, at a distance of about 400 km. And if we take into account that our "Zircon" flies at a range of 1,000 km at hypersonic speed, then this is a demonstration of the United States that, if necessary, "Zircons" can work on the territory," the military observer of TASS noted.
He added that this route is intended to show once again that "our naval power is getting stronger year by year. Russia is a self-sufficient state that has its own national interests and knows how to protect them."
From the Atlantic Ocean, the frigate will cross the Strait of Gibraltar to the Mediterranean Sea, where it will join the fifth Mediterranean squadron of the Russian Navy, which is based in Tartus (Syria) under the cover of Russian Air Force aircraft from the Khmeimim airbase.
"We will conduct exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and again demonstrate our flag and our capabilities. Then we will go through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, to the Indian Ocean, and there in the Indian Ocean, I do not rule out, there will be exercises with India, with other friendly states," the expert noted.
Unique weapons
According to Litovkin, the campaign of "Admiral Gorshkov" shows that Russia has the most modern naval weapons, which no one has. And our country, despite the fact that it is conducting a very complex and costly special military operation in Ukraine today, can afford to create such ships armed with the most modern missile systems.
The expert recalled that the Zircon missiles can hit both surface and ground targets. "The great advantage of the Zircon, in addition to the fact that it has hypersonic speed, that it can only sink at least a frigate or a destroyer with its kinetic strike, cause significant damage to an aircraft carrier, especially since it is impossible to detect and intercept it by any modern means," the TASS military observer said.
The ceremony of entering combat service
On Wednesday, January 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the ceremony of the Admiral Gorshkov frigate's entry into combat service and gave the command to the crew to begin performing tasks. He wished the sailors all the best and "seven feet under the keel."
Putin stressed that "this is a great joint work, which ended with a good, expected result."
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that during the cruise, the frigate's crew will work out the use of hypersonic Zircon missiles and long-range cruise missiles in various conditions. The main efforts during the campaign will be focused on countering threats to Russia, maintaining regional peace and stability jointly with friendly countries.
About the frigate
Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov is the main multipurpose frigate of the project 22350 of the far sea and ocean zone, built at the Severnaya Verf plant (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation). Joined the Russian Navy in July 2018. It is armed with the Kalibr-NK missile system. The ship took an active part in the tests of the newest hypersonic missile "Zircon" developed and manufactured by the Reutov NPO of Mechanical Engineering (part of the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation).
Earlier, the President of the Russian Federation announced a long-range cruise of a ship with Zircon missiles in early January 2023. In turn, the TASS source said that the frigate with hypersonic missiles will lead the permanent operational grouping of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean.
