Gepard class frigate for Caspian Sea

medo wrote:Caspian sea is very rich with oil and gas, so I don't think it is a waste of money to secure this region.

I think Russia is now more oriented in defending its near sea and coast than in projecting power overseas on in blue water.

And thats a good priority, the Caspian is an important waterway, and this ship seems perfectly suited for it.
As its relatively cheap, boost the Naval power in the region. Boost the local producers and workers, i would say its great.

Recent photo from the rear.
What do you think the structure at the back is for?

How about another location for UKSKs?

I don't know what will be there, but to replace helicopter pad with some structure for sure means there will be some important equipment.

Vietnamese Gepards have helicopters and by size they are small frigates. Anyway I think helicopter would be still very useful although Caspian sea in closed sea or large lake, if someone more likes in that way and is divided between five states and rich with gas and oil. Helicopter would be a big help for ship on their duty in patroling and protecting oil fields.

medo wrote:Vietnamese Gepards have helicopters and by size they are small frigates. Anyway I think helicopter would be still very useful although Caspian sea in closed sea or large lake, if someone more likes in that way and is divided between five states and rich with gas and oil. Helicopter would be a big help for ship on their duty in patroling and protecting oil fields.

Agree, helicopter onboard is a huge capability.

"The Gepard-class was designed from the outset as a lightweight, inexpensive export vessel. The Russians have offered five variants for foreign sale.
Gepard 1: Helicopter platform (no hangar), VDS deleted.
Gepard 2: Helicopter platform and hangar, VDS and SA-N-4 deleted.
Gepard 3: Increased beam of 13.8 m., displacement increased to 2,100 tons full load, single forward-placed Kortik CIWS in place of AK-630s, helicopter hangar above VDS housing.
Gepard 4: Unarmed version for search-and-rescue, though weapon mountings still in place.
Gepard 5: helicopter platform (no hangar), increased range to 6,000 nmi (11,000 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h) knots, reduced speed of 23 knots (43 km/h), gas turbines replaced with 2 8,000 bhp (6,000 kW) diesels.

The Vietnam People's Navy received in March and August 2011 two Gepard 3.9 class frigates originally ordered in 2006. They were built in Russia at Tatarstan's Gorky Shipbuilding Plant. Vietnam is currently examining a purchase of two more with the possibility that they will be built in Vietnam under license. [1] [2]
"

So a Missile frigate. Maybe they sacrifice the chopper for additional VLS.
Not every ship needs a chopper, but at least some in a task force.
If they have a few Gepards with choppers and a few Gepards with increased VLS capability, thats a good thought.

The third (and last) of the artillery ships (MAKHATCHKALA) for the Caspian fleet will be launched 1st quarter of 2012.

So soon will be all three in Caspian Sea. How is going next Buyan-M ship?

Alright, here are fresh photos of the DAGESTAN frigate that will enter service later on this year.

Excellent pictures. It seems Caspian flotilla will get Mahachkala and Dagestan in this year. When they expect to launch first Buyan-M ship?

Caspian Flotilla Takes Delivery of Stealth Gunboat
19:49 16/04/2012
MOSCOW, April 16 (RIA Novosti)
Tags: Russia

Russia’s Caspian Flotilla has taken delivery of a new small artillery ship that uses stealth technology, the Southern Military District press service said on Monday.

The warship was built at the St. Petersburg based Almaz shipyard and is armed with the A-190 artillery system, two AK-306 30-mm six-barrel machineguns and a Grad-M 40-tube 122-mm multiple rocket launch systems.

It has capability to effectively engage enemy warships and troops on the coast to clear the way for assault landing operations.

The warship, which uses stealth technology, can address a broad range of missions in the Caspian Sea, as well as hard-to-access parts of the water area.

http://www.en.ria.ru/mlitary_news/20120416/172860657.html

Mahachkala?

No. Makhachkala is not completed yet.
It must be Volgodonsk which was completed last year but had to wait in the Baltic until springtime to have it transfered and delivered to the Caspian Flotilla.

I swear I keep hearing of the introduction of the Dagestan to service every few months for the last 2-3 years; how many times can it possibly be introduced?

flamming_python wrote:I swear I keep hearing of the introduction of the Dagestan to service every few months for the last 2-3 years; how many times can it possibly be introduced?

Stupid media + gov trying to get constant credit for supposedly getting it done.
I noticed the same thing, they really went overboard with this one.
The other famous one is Su-25UBM trials .

If they actually made the headlines accurate: -Dagestan floated out; Dagestan fitting out; Dagestan finishing trials, etc , it would be less painful.

Makhachkala in the water, behind is a ship for Border guard Zhemchug.

Great video of Volgodonsk on weapons trials.
Interesting to see the two Iglas launched from the Gibbka system hitting their intended target that could be an incoming missile or more likely just a target flare.



EDit: Damn, why doesn't the video embed properly????

Great vid.


I think Gibka is engaging a surface target.