Gepard-class frigate
{{short description|Russian-built warships}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2 }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Gepard 3.9 frigate Quang Trung (016) of Vietnam People's Navy in MILAN2022 - 2.jpg | Ship caption = Quang Trung - one of the two ships in the second batch of Gepard 3.9 built for the Vietnam People's Navy }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Gepard class (Project 1166.1) | Builders = Zelenodolsk Plant Gorky | Operators = *{{navy|Russia}}
| Class before = *{{sclass2|Koni|frigate|4}}
| Class after = | Subclasses = *Project 11661 Tatarstan
| Cost = *11661E (Gepard 3.9 batch I): US$175 million per ship
| Built range = 1991–2016 | In service range = | In commission range = | Total ships planned = 10 | Total ships completed = 6 | Total ships canceled = 2 | Total ships active = 6 | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Frigate | Ship displacement = *1,500 tons (standard)
| Ship length = *Approx {{convert|102.4|m|abbr=on}} (Gepard 3.9 batch II) | Ship beam = *{{convert|13.09|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|5.7|m|abbr=on}} | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = Twin-shaft CODOG, FPP, 2 × 14,300 + 1 × 6,000 (kW) | Ship speed = {{convert|29|kn}} | Ship range = {{convert|4000|nmi|km |
| 3|abbr=on}} at {{convert|10|kn|km/h|0}}
| Ship endurance = 20 days | Ship complement = 94 | Ship sensors = *MR-231-1 Pal navigation radar
| Ship EW = *EW Suite: 2 × Bell Shroud passive intercept, 2 × Bell Squat jammers,
| Ship armament = *Artillery:
| Ship armour = | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = | Ship aircraft facilities = | Ship notes = [https://zpkb.com/en/our-projects/voennye-korabli/gepard-3-9-frigate/] }} |
The Gepard-class frigates, Russian designation Project 11661, is a Russian class of frigates that were intended as successors to the earlier {{sclass2|Koni|frigate|1}}s and {{sclass2|Grisha|corvette|5}}, and {{sclass2|Parchim|corvette|0}} corvettes. The first unit of the class, Yastreb (Hawk), was laid down at the Zelenodol'sk Zavod shipyard at Tatarstan in 1991. She was launched in July 1993, after which she began fitting out; fitting was nearly completed by late 1995, when it was suspended due to lack of funds. Renamed Tatarstan, the ship was finally completed in July 2002, and became the flagship of the Caspian Flotilla. She has two sister ships, Albatross (renamed Dagestan), and Burevestnik (Storm Petrel), which was still under construction {{As of|2012|lc=on}}.
Vietnam is the main operator of the class with its navy having commissioned 4 frigates - twice the size of Russia's Project 11661 inventory - and having plans to order at least 2 more.
Design
These vessels are capable of employing their weapons systems in conditions up to Sea State 5.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} The hull and superstructure are constructed primarily of steel, with some aluminium-magnesium being used in the upper superstructure(stealth technology). They are equipped with fin stabilizers and twin rudders, and can use either gas turbines or diesel for propulsion in a CODOG configuration.
Gepard is Russian for cheetah.
Service history
In October 2015, Dagestan, in company with three other Russian Navy ships serving with the Caspian Flotilla, launched cruise missiles at targets in Syria. The missiles flew nearly {{convert|1,500|km|mi}} over Iran and Iraq and struck targets in Raqqa and Aleppo provinces (controlled by the Islamic State) as well as Idlib province (controlled by the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front).{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/fighting-erupts-central-syria-amid-russian-airstrikes-072047268.html |title=Russia fires cruise missiles from warships into Syria |work=Yahoo! News |last1=Aji |first1=Albert |last2=Vasilyeva |first2=Nataliya |agency=Associated Press |date=7 October 2015 |access-date=9 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014040244/http://news.yahoo.com/fighting-erupts-central-syria-amid-russian-airstrikes-072047268.html |archive-date=14 October 2015}} Peshmerga forces (Kurdish armed forces located in northern Iraq) published a video allegedly depicting two cruise missiles mid-flight en route to Syria.{{Cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2015/10/07/kurdish-video-lends-credibility-to-russian-navy-caspian-sea-strike-mission-claims |title=Kurdish Video Lends Credibility to Russian Navy Caspian Sea Strike Mission Claims |date=October 7, 2015 |website=USNI News}}
On 6 November 2024 an A-22 drone from the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck the Kaspiysk naval base and reportedly damaged both Tatarstan and Dagestan as well as one {{sclass2|Buyan|corvette|1}}.{{cite news|url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/11/06/a-ukrainian-drone-motored-700-miles-and-blasted-three-russian-warships-in-one-blow/ |work= forbes.com |title= A Ukrainian Drone Motored 700 Miles And Blasted Three Russian Warships In One Blow |first= David |last= Axe |author-link= David Axe |date= 2024-11-13 |access-date= 2024-11-13}}{{cite tweet|user= Gerashchenko_en |author-link= Anton Gerashchenko |number= 1854162196814516295 |title= Reports appeard that two warships were hit in Russian Kaspiysk. The "Tatarstan" and "Dagestan" missile ships were reportedly damaged in a drone strike on the Caspian Fleet in Dagestan. Small missile ships of Project 21631 Buyan-M were also damaged}}
Export
The Gepard-class was designed from the outset as a lightweight, inexpensive export vessel. Russia offers three variants of the class to the market:{{Cite web|title=Naval systems {{!}} Catalog Rosoboronexport|url=http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/naval-systems/surface-ships-ships-and-boats/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=roe.ru}}
- Gepard 3.9: designed to search, track and fight against surface, underwater and air enemy independently and within task force, plant mine fields, provide protection and patrol of maritime state border and exclusive economic zone, perform combat missions, patrol service. Powered by gas-turbine engines with CODOG configuration. Fitted with two inclined quadruple launchers for eight Kh-35 anti-ship missiles with alternative options to be featured with VLS systems such as UKSK (for cruise missiles such as Club-N and Yakhont) and Shtil-1 air-defense system.{{Cite web|title=Frigate (on the base of the project 11661 escort ship) Gepard 3.9 {{!}} Catalog Rosoboronexport|url=http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/naval-systems/surface-ships-ships-and-boats/gepard-3-9/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=roe.ru}} Being the only exported variant with Vietnam being its first and only operator.
- Gepard 5.1: configured as an ocean-going patrol ship. Intended for patrolling territorial waters, helping in distress on the sea, environment protection, support to marine missions and flag demonstration in areas being of state interest. Can be featured with "heavier" weapons if necessary. Powered entirely by diesel engines with a two-shaft CODAD propulsion plant.{{Cite web|title=Frigate (on the base of the project 11661) Gepard 5.3 {{!}} Catalog Rosoboronexport|url=http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/naval-systems/surface-ships-ships-and-boats/gepard-5-3/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=roe.ru}}
- Gepard 5.3: designed to search, track and fight against surface, underwater and air enemy independently and within task force, carry out convoy missions and patrol duty, guard maritime state border and economic zone. Featured with four quadruple launchers for sixteen Kh-35 anti-ship missiles. Powered by a two-shaft CODAD propulsion plant.{{Cite web|title=Frigate (on the base of the project 11661) Gepard 5.3 {{!}} Catalog Rosoboronexport|url=http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/naval-systems/surface-ships-ships-and-boats/gepard-5-3/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=roe.ru}}
= Vietnam =
In March and August of 2011, the Vietnam People's Navy received two Gepard 3.9-class frigates ordered in 2006, built in Russia at Tatarstan's Gorky Shipbuilding Plant. In late 2011, Vietnam signed a contract for an additional batch of two ships in an anti-submarine configuration.{{cite web |url=http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=13819 |title=Vietnam Bought Second Batch of Russian Gepard-Class Frigates |website=rusnavy.com |date=7 December 2011 |access-date=9 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902054020/http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=13819 |archive-date=2 September 2014}} A further two ships are being considered to bring the total order up to six vessels, and that potential acquisition is likely being stalled due to sanctions towards Russia as a result of the Ukrainian conflicts.{{cite web |first=John |last=Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/1166_1.htm |title=Project 1166.1 Gepard class |website=Globalsecurity.org |date=21 August 2014 |access-date=9 October 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=7439844&c=ASI&s=SEA |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731065632/http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=7439844&c=ASI&s=SEA |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 July 2012 |title=Vietnam Receives Second Russian-Made Frigate |work=Defense News |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=9 October 2015}}{{Cite web|title=Vietnam raises interest in procuring improved Gepard 3.9-class frigates from Russia|url=https://www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2021/09/vietnam-raises-interest-in-procuring.html|access-date=2021-10-24|website=Asia Pacific Defense Journal}}
= Sri Lanka =
Sri Lanka began talks for the credit purchase of a Gepard 5.1 frigate in 2017 and the Sri Lankan cabinet approved the proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena for the purchase of the ship in September 2017.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/171203/columns/271546-271546.html |title=Deal for Rs. 20 billion++ Russian patrol vessel this week, company chief comes in private jet |date=December 3, 2017 |work=The Sunday Times |access-date=2017-12-04}} But the Deal was unsuccessful due to sri Lankan economic issues and political ideological issues.
Ships
File:Caspian Frigate Tatarstan.jpg|Russian frigate 691 Tatarstan
File:Caspian Frigate Dagestan.jpg|Russian frigate 693 Dagestan
File:Vietnam People's Navy Ship 011 'Đinh Tiên Hoàng' (Project 11661E Gepard 3.9).jpg|Vietnam People Navy Ship 011 Đinh Tiên Hoàng
File:Vietnam People's Navy ship 015 Trần Hưng Đạo - Project 11661E Gepard 3.9 frigate.jpg|Vietnam People's Navy Ship 015 Trần Hưng Đạo
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160217010113/http://www.zdship.ru/eproducts/shipbuilding/special-purpose-vessels/459/ Project 11661 Gepard Class Frigates] @ Zelenodolsk Plant named after A.M. Gorky
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160805003020/http://www.zdship.ru/eproducts/shipbuilding/special-purpose-vessels/460/ Project 11661 Gepard-3.9 Class Frigates] @ Zelenodolsk Plant named after A.M. Gorky
- [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/gepard-class/ Project 11661 Gepard Class Frigates] @ Naval Technology
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160109190749/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/1166_1.htm Project 1166.1 Gepard class] @ FAS
- [http://ship.bsu.by/ship/102919 1166.1 Gepard] @ Encyclopedia of Ships {{in lang|ru}}
- [http://russianships.info/eng/warships/project_11661.htm All Gepard Class Frigates - Complete Ship List] @ RussianShips
{{Gepard-class frigate}}
{{Soviet and Russian ships after 1945}}