Corvette Grozny Launched for Russia’s Pacific Fleet as Fifth Project 20380 Ship

Russia has launched the corvette Grozny, a Project 20380 (Steregushchiy-class) warship destined for the Pacific Fleet, at United Shipbuilding Corporation’s Amur Shipyard in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia’s Ministry of Defence said on its official Telegram channel on 24 October 2026. The ministry described Grozny as the fifth serial ship of the type built for the Pacific Fleet to a design by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau.

Launch ceremony at Komsomolsk-on-Amur

According to the Defence Ministry, the ceremonial float-out was attended by Khabarovsk Krai Governor Dmitry Demeshin and the commander of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Viktor Liina. The launch moves the ship from the slipway into the water, where outfitting, systems installation and later factory and state sea trials take place before the corvette can be accepted into service. The ministry did not give a target date for commissioning.

Grozny was laid down in August 2021. It follows four sister ships built at the same yard for the Pacific Fleet: Sovershenny, Gromky, Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Rezky, the last of which was commissioned in 2023.

What the Project 20380 corvette offers

The Steregushchiy class is a multi-role corvette of roughly 2,200 tonnes full load and about 104.5 metres in length, capable of around 27 knots with a crew of some 90. Published specifications for the design include two quadruple launchers for Kh-35 Uran anti-ship missiles, a Redut vertical launch system for surface-to-air missiles, a 100 mm main gun, AK-630M close-in weapon systems and the Paket-NK anti-submarine and anti-torpedo system, along with a hangar and deck for a helicopter. The ships are intended for coastal and near-sea missions, including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and escort duties.

Pacific Fleet modernisation

The Defence Ministry said the Amur Shipyard currently has 10 ships of different projects under construction for the Pacific Fleet. Steady deliveries of corvettes have become a key part of Russia’s effort to renew the fleet’s surface combatants in the Far East, where many Soviet-era vessels are reaching the end of their service lives. Russia regularly deploys Pacific Fleet corvettes on joint patrols and exercises, including with the Chinese navy.

Once commissioned, Grozny would bring the number of Project 20380 corvettes in the Pacific Fleet to five, strengthening the fleet’s capacity for coastal defence and anti-submarine operations in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.

Featured image: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (sister ship Rezkiy)