Russian Gorshkov Frigate Build May Slow Without Ukrainian Gas Turbines.

The build status of the Russian Navy's third- and fourth-in-class Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates may be delayed as Russia contends with sourcing an indigenous propulsion plant supplier following Ukraine's ban on military exports to Russia.

Russian Gorshkov Frigate Build May Slow Without Ukrainian Gas Turbines.

The lead vessel Admiral Gorshkov and second-in-class Admiral Kasatonov are powered by two M90FR gas turbines designed and built by Zorya-Mashproekt in Ukraine. Russia's NPO Saturn collaborated extensively with the Ukrainian turbine maker before the ban and will now build the M90FR.

However, the status of power plants for Admiral Golovko and Admiral Isakov is unclear, and the timetable for completing these ships may be extended. Under the Russian government's import substitution programme, it is understood that NPO Saturn is supposed to develop the capability to produce and test the M90FR by 2017.

Lead ship Admiral Gorshkov conducted its first trials in November 2014. The ship's manoeuvrability and vibration at different speeds and navigation, communications, and radar system performance were all checked. It is now preparing for the second phase of underway testing in the Baltic Sea at the end of January 2015.

Severnaya Verf shipyard launched Admiral Kasatonov on 12 December 2014. Admiral Golovko will be launched before the end of 2015, according to the shipyard's acting general director Yury Taratonov. Admiral Isakov , laid down in 2013, remains under construction.

Severnaya Verf has a contract to build six Admiral Gorshkov-class ships by 2020. The first four will join Russia's Northern Fleet. Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Viktor Chirkov has publicly stated that the navy has a requirement for more than 15.

Adm Chirkov has also stated that the navy plans to accept Admiral Gorshkov into service in late 2015 after completion of testing. However, an industry source told news agency TASS that the vessel might enter the fleet earlier with an "experimental" status.

Admiral Gorshkov-class vessels are 135 m in length, displace 4,500 tonnes, and have a reported top speed of 29 kt. They were designed for a reduced signature with a compact hull and superstructure made of composite materials.

The frigates are outfitted with vertical launchers for 16 Oniks (SS-N-26 'Strobile') or Kalibr (SS-N-27 'Sizzler') cruise missiles and Redut surface-to-air missiles. Redut uses the same 9M96 missile as the S-400 Triumf (SA-21 'Growler') and S-350E Vityaz systems.

The ships are armed with a 130 mm A-192 Armat main gun and the Paket anti-submarine/anti-torpedo system. The class can carry a Ka-27 'Helix' helicopter on the flight deck