Russian corvette Smerch

Smerch (Russian: Смерч, lit. 'Tornado') is a Nanuchka III-class corvette of the Russian Navy. It is classified as a Small Missile Ship/FFL (Малый Ракетный Корабль/МРК) and is currently registered with hull number 423.[1]

Smerch showing new missiles and gun in 2019
History
→ Soviet Union → Russia
NameSmerch
Laid down1981
Launched1984
HomeportPetropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeNanuchka III-class corvette
Displacement
  • 560 t (551 long tons) standard
  • 660 t (650 long tons) full load
Length194 ft 7 in (59.31 m)
Beam41 ft 4 in (12.60 m)
Draught12 ft 11 in (3.94 m)
Propulsion3 shaft diesels, 30,000 hp
Speed32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph)
Range2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement60
Armament

She is currently assigned to the Russian Pacific Ocean Fleet and was built in 1984.

Construction and career

On 1 February 2014 it was reported that while under the command of Captain 3rd Rank Alexei Petrov (Алексей Петров), she conducted training in local waters near the Kamchatka Peninsula. Training events included protecting the vessel, chemical contamination of the water supply, using personal protective equipment, disinfection, and decontamination of the ship.[2]

On 25 March 2013 it was reported that she participated in local training with her Nanuchka III-class sister ship Iney and the Grisha V-class MPK-82 in Avacha Bay. Her crew trained on survival in severe weather conditions and responding to emergencies. Future training was to consist of anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare. One of the corvettes was pictured launching an SA-N-4 missile and shooting its AK-176 gun.[3]

Following an extensive refit from 2017 to 2019, Smerch was re-entered service with a new AK-176MA 76 mm gun and four quad Uran/SS-N-25 'Switchblade' replacing the old triple SS-N-9 launchers.[4][5]

Smerch before modernisation, c. 2014

References
  1. "Weapons Database". Warfare.be. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  2. "На Камчатке идет сдача курсовых задач" [Coursework is being submitted in Kamchatka]. Pacific Fleet Press Service (in Russian). 1 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  3. "У Берегов Камчатки Моряки Бригады Охраны Водного Района Сдают Курсовые Задачи" [Off the coast of Kamchatka, sailors of the naval protection brigades complete course tasks]. Pacific Fleet Press Service (in Russian). 26 March 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  4. Vavasseur, Xavier (6 August 2019). "Russia's Nanuchka III-class Corvette 'Smerch' Upgraded with new Missiles & Gun". Naval News.
  5. "Missile corvette Smerch rejoins Russia's Pacific Fleet after upgrade". TASS. 3 October 2019.
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