MOSCOW -- The second frigate in the Admiral Gorshkov class will head to a new stage of trials later this month.
In a statement to TASS Russian News Agency on April 17, 2019, Severnaya Verf Shipyard said that Admiral Kasatonov, the second of the Admiral Gorshkov class frigates, should enter the 'second stage' of its factory sea trials before the end of this month. The shipyard stated, "Most likely, this may happen on April 20 or 21 but it is not ruled out that the ship's departure for the sea may be delayed for several more days."
Earlier in the year, Severnaya Verf CEO Igor Ponomaryov had said that the vessel would enter the second stage of factory sea trials either in March or April 2019.
Admiral Kasatonov is the second Project 22350 frigate, following lead ship Admiral Gorshkov, which was commissioned last year. In 2009, Severnaya Verf laid Admiral Kasatonov down. It was launched five years later, in 2014, and should enter service before the of 2019, likely in December. Project 22350 frigates displace 5,400 tons full load, with a length of up to 120 meters. For armaments, the warships have Kalibr cruise missiles as well as the Redut air-defense system.
Another two vessels in the class should be laid down on April 23, 2019.