MOSCOW. June 30 (Interfax) - The Tucha corvette armed with long-range cruise missiles has been launched and will join the Russian Black Sea Fleet once construction and trials are finalized, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
"The Tucha corvette built at the Gorky Shipyards in Zelenodolsk, has been launched," the ministry said.
The Tucha, which is the fourth Karakurt-class ship, will join the Black Sea Fleet after its construction and trials are completed, it said.
Head of the Russian Navy's Shipbuilding Department Rear Adm. Ilyas Shigapov attended the launch ceremony.
These ships are armed with high precision long-range missiles and "honorably fulfill missions to protect Russia's national interests," Shigapov said.
Project 22800 corvettes are armed with a universal eight-section system for Kalibr and Oniks cruise missiles.
Kalibr missiles are designed by Almaz-Antey, while the Oniks is a product of NPO Mashinostroyenia, a unit of Tactical Missiles Corporation. Ships of this class are also equipped with an AK-176MA automatic artillery gun and an Igla MANPADS.
The ships have a displacement of 800 tonnes and operate in close-range sea zones.