Following Iran’s Attack on Israel, Russia Deploys Warship Armed with “Kinzhal” to the Mediterranean

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Russia has deployed a frigate equipped with hypersonic “Kinzhal” missiles to the Mediterranean Sea, shortly after Iran launched ballistic missile and suicide drone attacks against Israel, escalating the risk of widening the conflict in the region.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the anti-submarine warfare frigate entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal as part of a “drill,” though no further details about the warship’s voyage were provided.

The ministry stated that the frigate would continue its previously planned operations.

The Mediterranean Sea is located close to the conflict zones in Palestine, Syria, and Israel.

The “Marshal Shaposhnikov,” a vessel of the Russian Navy, was commissioned in 1985 and was originally a Udaloy-class destroyer before re-classify to a frigate following extensive modernization of its combat systems.

 

The warship, which has a displacement ranging from 6,200 tons (standard) to 7,900 tons (maximum), was recently at the ports of Safaga in Egypt and Massawa in Eritrea, Africa, after participating in the DIMDEX 2024 defense exhibition in Doha.

Earlier in January, the frigate also took part in anti-submarine exercises in the South China Sea.

Stationed under the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet, the “Marshal Shaposhnikov” is 163 meters long and powered by four gas turbine engines, allowing it to reach speeds of 35 knots and navigate up to 10,500 nautical miles (about 20,000 km) with a crew of 300.

 In addition to the “Kinzhal” hypersonic missiles, the frigate is armed with several other missile types including “Kalibr” cruise missiles, “Oniks,” “Zircon,” and “Otvet” missiles, as well as torpedoes and anti-submarine rocket launchers.

The “Kinzhal” hypersonic missile, known to NATO as AS-24 Killjoy, reportedly has a capability of reaching speeds of Mach 10 and an operational range of 2,000 km, with both conventional and nuclear warheads.

 

The frigate is also equipped with a variety of radars, sensor systems, and electronic warfare systems. Additionally, it carries two Ka-27 “Helix” helicopters for anti-submarine operations.

Last month, the “Marshal Shaposhnikov” participated in a “maritime security exercise” in the Gulf of Oman alongside the Russian frigate “Varyag” and warships from China and Iran.

China’s Ministry of Defense stated that the exercise, named “Security Bond 2024,” aimed to enhance regional maritime security and cooperation amid escalating tensions in the region.

Participating nations included Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India, and South Africa, who joined as observers.

The primary goal of the exercise was to strengthen the foundation of security in the region and expand cooperation among the participating countries. — DSA