MOSCOW. July 31 (Interfax) - The Russian Defense Ministry will receive five small missile ships of Project 22800 Karakurt within the next 18 months, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"Three ships should be adopted for service with the Navy before the end of the year and two others should be commissioned in 2024," Shoigu said at a teleconference with the Defense Ministry commanders on Monday.
The Black Sea Fleet received a serial ship produce as part of this project called the Tsiklon in July, he said.
"Operating in coastal marine zones, these ships are capable of delivering precision missile strikes on critical ground sites and enemy ships at sea," he said.
The teleconference's participants should also consider the construction of Project 12700 Aleksandrit ocean minesweepers, he said.
"These new ships are designed to perform anti-mine functions in coastal marine zones. They are equipped with the latest mine detection and destruction systems, hydro-acoustic stations, an anti-mine contour, and robotic systems," he said.
As part of Navy Day celebrations on Sunday, naval parades took place in Baltiysk, Vladivostok, Kaspiysk, Novorossiysk, Severomorsk, and Syria's Tartus, he said.
"Over 45 ships of various classes and 3,000 service members took part in the main naval parade in St. Petersburg. Nineteen foreign delegations attended the celebrations," he said.