Russian frigates to get advanced Kalibr missiles

Russia plans to install multi-role Kalibr (3M-54 Klub) missile systems on three of its Krivak IV-class frigates for use against surface and subsurface naval combatants along with static land targets.

The St. Petersburg-based Baltic Plant-Shipbuilding announced on Monday that it will manufacture the missile systems for the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad before the end of 2014, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

“Under an existing contract, the Baltic plant will install Kalibr systems on the first troika of frigates,” the plant said in a statement.

The statement added that the next three frigates are also expected to be equipped with 3M-54E1 subsonic missiles.

The 3M-54E1 is believed to be able to perform very high-angled defensive maneuvers in contrast to the common linear flight path of other anti-ship cruise missiles.

It is roughly comparable to both the United States’ Tomahawk cruise missile and the ASROC missile but is smaller and has a shorter range.

The Krivak IV-class frigate is a guided-missile frigate designed to counter surface ships, submarines, and airborne targets.