New Russian Frigate Keel-Laid in Kaliningrad

01.03.2012 Russian Vice Premier Dmitry Rogozin and Baltic Fleet (BF) Commander VADM Viktor Chirkov participated yesterday in the solemn keel-laying ceremony of new frigate Admiral Makarov to be constructed by Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad, Russia).

"It is a high day for naval mariners", said BF Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov. "Russian Navy's future lies with ships laid down at our shipyards today", added Chirkov.

The event was also attended by Kaliningrad Governor Nikolai Tsukanov, president of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation Roman Trotsenko, and Director General of JSC Severnoye Design Bureau Vladimir Spiridopulo.

Frigate Admiral Makarov is the third ship in series built by Yantar for Russian Navy since 2010. Project 11356 frigate is designed for sea and ocean warfare against opponent's surface ships and submarines, and repelling air attacks either independently or within a task force as an escort ship.

In accordance with two contracts tied with Russian Defense Ministry, Yantar Shipyard will build six Project 11356 frigates developed by JSC Severnoye Design Bureau.

Lead ship of the series – frigate Admiral Grigorovich – was laid down on Dec 18, 2010. Keel laying of the second frigate – Admiral Essen – was held on July 8, 2011. The shipyard is supposed to deliver first three frigates to the Navy in 2014-15.