In the context of growing military activity in the Sea of Japan, the Russian Navy has carried out launches of Kalibr-NK and Uran cruise missiles against a practice target, these being under the responsibility of the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov belonging to the class known as Project 1155. The news in question was communicated through official channels of the Pacific Fleet and by local Russian media, accompanied by video footage of the ship during the firings, which were reportedly carried out successfully.
Gathering some official statements of the institution: “The crew of the Pacific Fleet frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov successfully carried out the launch of high-precision Kalibr and Uran cruise missiles against a maritime target in the waters of the Sea of Japan. The designated target was successfully hit by anti-ship missiles.”
It should be recalled at this point that the vessel in question was originally designed as a ship specially prepared for anti-submarine warfare missions, being launched in 1985 at the Yantar shipyards located in Kaliningrad. Its conversion to a frigate as such occurred in 2016, at which time it was modernized by personnel of the Dalzavod Ship Repair Center in the Vladivostok region, incorporating among various improvements the modern missile launch systems that allowed it to deploy the Kalibr-NK and Uran. Its reincorporation into the force took place only in 2021, becoming part of the Pacific Fleet.
On the other hand, returning to what was mentioned regarding the various examples of Russian military activity in the Sea of Japan, it is important to highlight that the country’s Navy together with its Chinese ally carried out anti-submarine warfare exercises in the region; these extended over five days after beginning on August 1. On that occasion, both forces conducted a simulation of the presence of an enemy submarine that had to be tracked and eliminated, in addition to rehearsing emergency rescue maneuvers with submarines and support ships.
Added to this, as we reported yesterday, a planned patrol flight was recorded in the Sea of Japan by Tu-95MS strategic bombers belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces. It was a flight that lasted about six hours, and also involved an escort of Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters, remaining at all times in international airspace. It should also be remembered that similar flights by this type of aircraft were reported earlier this same year, for which Japan deployed its F-15J fighters under the command of the Northern Air Defense Command.
*Image credits: Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy
You may also like: The Return of a Nuclear Giant: Questions and Answers in the Modernization of the Russian Navy’s Cruiser Admiral Nakhimov
