According to information published by Tass on May 11, 2023, the Severnaya Verf Shipyard has delivered Project 20380 latest missile corvette Merkury to the Russian Navy.
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Steregushchiy-class corvette Merkury. (Picture source: Tass)
The delivery team and naval personnel completed a rigorous series of tests and inspections of the warship's systems, weaponry, and specialized equipment, conducted an inventory, and readied the Merkury for its official transfer.
In a gesture honoring Russia's naval history, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Yevmenov ordered the corvette to be named Merkury. This is a tribute to the historic combat sailing ship that symbolizes the bravery and expertise of Russian sailors.
The Merkury is the fifth Project 20380 corvette constructed at the Severnaya Verf Shipyard, located in Russia's northwest city of St. Petersburg and a part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation.
The design was crafted by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau. The earlier four corvettes - the Steregushchiy, the Soobrazitelny, the Stoikiy, and the Boikiy - currently serve in Russia's Baltic Fleet.
Originally laid down on February 20, 2015, as the Retiviy, the corvette was renamed Merkury on October 15, 2021. This was done to honor the Black Sea Fleet's sailing ship that earned its fame in the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829.
Project 20380 corvettes are engineered for green-water operations, designed to combat enemy surface ships and submarines, and offer artillery support for amphibious assaults.
They are highly capable naval vessels with a displacement of 1,800 tons (standard) and 2,200 tons (full). The corvettes measure 104.5 meters (343 feet) in length, with a beam of 13 meters (43 feet) overall and 11.6 meters (38 feet) at the waterline. The ships have a draught of 3.7 meters (12 feet), allowing for effective navigation in various water depths.
The armament onboard these corvettes includes Uran anti-ship missiles, Redut surface-to-air missile systems, A-190 artillery guns, and Paket-NK anti-submarine warfare weapons. They are also equipped to accommodate Ka-27 helicopters of any variant.
