Admiral Grigorovich frigate arrives in Sevastopol

MOSCOW, June 9 (UPI) -- Russia's Admiral Grigorovich frigate, the first of its class, has arrived at its permanent station at Sevastopol naval base.

"This is the first vessel for distant water operation, which the Black Sea Fleet has received over the past 35 years," Black Sea Fleet spokesman Vyacheslav Trukhachyov told Russia's Tass news agency.

The frigate left Baltiysk in late April, heading into the Mediterranean Sea where it called at Malta.

It was escorted by anti-sabotage boats and Kamov Ka-27 helicopters from the Black Sea Fleet's naval aviation unit assets.

The Admiral Grigorovich was laid down in late 2010 and put afloat in 2014.

It was followed by the Admiral Essen frigate, which joined Russia's navy earlier this week.

The third of six frigates in the class, the Admiral Makarov, is expected to be transferred to the Russian navy by the end of the year.

Tass reports Russia is discussing a transfer of the fourth, fifth and sixth ships to India.

The Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates are designed to attack surface ships and submarines, as well as aerial targets independently or in formation.

It is armed with A-190 100mm artillery as well as torpedo tubes and ballistic attack and air defense systems.

The 410-foot-long ship features a 4,000 ton displacement, a maximum speed of 30 knots, a 4,850-mile endurance and can carry a Kamov Ka-27 helicopter.