Corvette Makhachkala to Join Caspian Flotilla by Yearend

11.12.2012 New Buyan-class corvette Makhachkala has successfully completed all rounds of state acceptance trials. The state panel consisting of representatives of Russian Navy and manufacturing yard signed the ship's acceptance certificate.

Upon approval of the certificate by the Navy Commander-in-Chief, naval ensign will be hoisted on Makhachkala, and the ship will join Caspian Flotilla. At present, the corvette is being prepared for commissioning ceremony to be held late in Dec 2012.

Makhachkala is the third Project 21630 Buyan corvette. As of tactical and performance characteristics, she is specially designed for the Caspian Sea. Lead corvette Astrakhan, also stationed in Caspian Flotilla, has been in service for 6 years and proved herself as excellent naval asset for shallow and narrow waters of the Volga River and the Caspian Sea.

Buyan project was developed by JSC Zelenodolsk Design Bureau (Tatarstan). All corvettes were built by JSC Almaz Shipbuilding Firm (St. Petersburg).

Thanks to shallow draft and high maneuverability, Buyan-class corvettes are capable to accomplish a wide range of tasks in littoral zone of the Caspian Sea, rivers, estuaries, and other narrow waters. In fact, a corvette of this kind is an up-to-date gunboat delivering heavy fire attacks upon enemy ships and coast-based targets to clear beachhead for landing assault operations.

Buyan-class corvettes are built under stealth technology reducing their radar signature.