The Russian fleet in 2007 was replenished with the latest multi-purpose ship. The founder of the 20380 series was the “Guardian” corvette, which received its name in honor of two destroyers, each of which contributed to the annals of the naval glory of our country.
In 1907, there was a war with Japan. During the defense of Port Arthur, a situation developed in which the destroyer "Steregushchiy" took the battle with four enemy ships of the same class, which were soon joined, expecting an easy victory, two cruisers. As a result of the battle, all Japanese ships suffered significant damage, and the Russian destroyer lost its course. The team flooded their ship, and it sank, not reaching the enemy and not lowering the St. Andrew flag.
In 1941, another destroyer of the same name first sank a German submarine at the Baltic Sea Theater of War.
The new “Guardian” corvette has unusual contours. Its silhouette, outlined by bold oblique lines and planes, is not only beautiful, it is arranged rationally in order to give the ship minimal visibility on the radar screens. Visually, it is also hardly noticeable. Almost all weapons and antennas are hidden inside the hull. Excellent driving performance combined with effective weapons and a high degree of autonomy (up to 400 thousand nautical miles).
A sophisticated control system in combination with stabilizing wings provides the ability to fire by all means that are equipped with “Stereguschiy”. Corvette can carry out any combat missions with excitement up to five points.
Ship speed - 30 knots (knot - one mile or 1852 m / h). The crew, including the personnel for the maintenance of the wing (helicopter), is one hundred people. With a length of 105 meters, the Steregushchy corvette cannot be called a giant; its displacement is 2000 tons. But, as in many other cases, size is not the main thing. The project is revolutionary, this ship can change all ideas about modern naval combat.
The armament of the corvette is composed of systems for various purposes. The artillery is represented by a 100-millimeter installation capable of firing automatically, capturing and tracking several targets, while choosing the highest priority threats. SAM "Blade" reliably protects the "Guardian" corvette from air attacks of a possible enemy. There are bombing installations to fight against submarines. Torpedo tubes are equipped with super high-speed rocket underwater shells.
Corvette is able to effectively attack surface ships, including aircraft carriers, and coastal bases.
Shipbuilders from St. Petersburg and Komsomolsk-on-Amur did not stop on one instance. Two other corvettes of Project 20380 of the Baltic Fleet are already in service - Sobrazivatelny and Boyky. Two more are under construction, and a couple more are planned to be laid.
During the 2007 International Naval Salon in St. Petersburg, none of the participating countries presented such a sensational ship as the Steregushchiy. Corvette, whose photo against the background of the Peter and Paul Fortress symbolizes the continuity of the fleet - the brainchild of Peter the Great, went around all world publications. Countries that are Russia's strategic allies showed interest in the project.