SE Asian, Middle East Countries likely First Customers of Kalibr Missile-Armed Russian Corvettes

Countries from Southeast Asia and the Middle East are negotiating with Russia on the purchase of warships armed with Kalibr cruise missiles.

“Currently, technical consultations and pre-contract negotiations are underway with a number of countries of Southeast Asia and the Middle East for the supply of Project 22800E Karakurt-class corvettes,” Alexander Mikheev told Interfax at the ongoing Army 2021 forum.

Mikheev stated that the Kalibr missile system is compatible on many modern Russian ships promoted by Rosoboronexport to the foreign market, including Project 22356 and Project 636 vessels.

Karakurt-class corvettes have an endurance of 15 days. They are a cheap alternative for larger Admiral Grigorovich class frigates. Ships of the class have a stealth shaped superstructure with an integrated mast carrying four phased array radar panels.

The primary armament consists of Kalibr cruise missiles or P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship missiles carried in eight UKSK VLS cells in the rear part of the superstructure, behind the bridge. The corvettes built for the Russian Navy will be equipped with a 76.2 mm AK-176MA automatic dual-purpose gun, a modernized version of the AK-176. Future vessels of this class are likely to be equipped with Pantsir-M missile systems.