MOSCOW -- Russia has begun manufacturing engines for its Admiral Gorshkov class frigates, replacing the Ukrainian-origin systems powering the first two ships in the class.
In a statement on Tuesday, the deputy CEO of United Engine Corporation, Viktor Polyakov, said that the first M55R diesel-gas turbine engine to power Project 22350 frigates has been delivered. He noted, "The first power unit was dispatched in November. The dispatch of the second unit is scheduled for the first half of December. Therefore, our partners, the United Shipbuilding Corporation and the Severnaya Shipyard, will get a full-fledged power plant for the ship that will consist of two power units."
UEC is a subsidiary of a state-owned arms conglomerate Rostec.
Work began on a replacement engine in 2014, after the collapse of ties between Moscow and Kiev led to the latter canceling contracts for the supply of gas turbine engines for Russian warships. While engines had already been delivered for two frigates -- lead ship Admiral Gorshkov as well as Admiral Kasatonov -- the rest of the class will need to use the Russian-made alternative.
The engine will presumably be installed in the Admiral Golovko, the third ship in the class. It was launched at Severnaya Verf in May 2020. Several more frigates are various stages of construction, and the Russian Navy has considered purchasing further ships under a modernized design.
Polyakov stated, "We have confirmed that Russia can produce diesel/gas turbine engines independently. We have fully acquired the competence, which Russia previously lacked. As of today, the United Engine Corporation has the scientific and technical potential to develop, produce, test, install on ships and provide support for the whole range of diesel/ gas turbine engines during their entire service life."
Vladimir Artyakov, he first deputy CEO of Rostec, noted that the state conglomerate is "ready to meet the requirements of Russian shipbuilders for new gas turbine engines."
You have 0 item(s) in your cart