Russia’s latest Zircon capable missile frigate Admiral Golovko begins operational certification, July 2024.
Russian Navy frigate “Admiral Golovko” likely began missile integration and certification firing trials in the White Sea, 17 July 2024. This is a key milestone in reaching operational status.
Russian Navy Northern Fleet Project.22350 class guided missile frigate SKR-456 “Admiral Golovko” likely began its long overdue Oniks (NATO: SS-N-26) & Kalibr (NATO: SS-N-27/30) missile integration and certification programme on the White Sea ranges, 17 July 2024.
A missile firing closure area (PRIP 50/24) effective 17 to 20 July and 22 July covering Dvina Bay, the Gorlo Strait and the north west sector of Mezen Bay to Chiza was issued on 12 July. Admiral Golovko has been deployed to White Sea port of Severodvinsk since mid-May 2024 and got underway on 14 July likely for a short shakedown period in local waters ahead of the range opening time.
Preparations for firing probably commenced during the late Zulu hours 16 July and activity had likely ceased during the mid-morning Zulu hours 17 July. There is a realistic possibility Admiral Golovko fired, or attempted to fire, an Oniks or Kalibr missile during this time. Following the firing, Admiral Golovko returned to Severodvinsk and was noted conducting weapon transloading activity. The nature of the PRIP suggests this was a waypoint firing in a SW-NE orientation towards a littoral or land-based static target located in Chiza.
The short timeframe of the activity could indicate either a successful or a failed firing and we will have to await official confirmation from Russian Military sources in due course. Nevertheless, it is highly likely Admiral Golovko will conduct further firings, possibly over longer ranges, in the White Sea and Barents Sea during the Summer and Autumn 2024.
A successful first firing would be a key milestone in Admiral Golovko reaching operational status and if all goes well, it is assessed that Russia may have the ability to globally deploy three Pr.22350 class missile frigates by December 2024. This would greatly reduce the burden on the older Northern Fleet Kirov, Slava, Udaloy & Sovremenny class warships allowing those vessels to undertake maintenance cycles or conduct regional security operations in the North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea and along the Northern Sea route, a waterway of key strategic importance for Russia and its allies.
It is important to stress that while lead vessel of the Pr.22350 class SKR-454 Admiral Gorshkov could be fitted with Zircon (NATO: SS-N-33) missiles, follow-on units of the class, SKR-461 Admiral Kasatanov and Admiral Golovko have not conducted Zircon missile integration trials and are assessed as not certified to launch this weapon. Nevertheless, both warships, with their Oniks and Kalibr systems, remain a formidable maritime adversary.