The newest milestone for the Black Sea Fleet’s Project 22160 series has arrived: the fifth patrol corvette, ‘Viktor Velikiy,’ has commenced factory sea trials in the Baltic. The vessel departed the Kronstadt Naval Facility on February 8, 2025, marking the beginning of an extensive evaluation phase. Built at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard, ‘Viktor Velikiy’ was originally launched on May 7, 2024. In July, it traveled through inland waterways to reach the Baltic region for completion and systems integration at the Kronstadt yard. Now, as the corvette embarks on factory sea trials, engineers and naval specialists will meticulously assess the performance of propulsion, navigation, and weapon systems under realistic maritime conditions. Once these trials are concluded, state acceptance tests are slated to follow, verifying the ship’s readiness for active duty.
‘Viktor Velikiy’ is part of a six-ship series ordered by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2014 specifically for the Black Sea Fleet. This vessel is named in honor of Captain 1st Rank Viktor Ivanovich Velikiy (1918-1996), a Hero of the Soviet Union who commanded the 1st detachment of the 3rd armored boat division of the Azov military flotilla. His distinguished service record, epitomized by dedication and bravery, serves as an enduring source of pride in Russian naval tradition. The corvette’s christening underscores the Navy’s commitment to preserving historical memory and celebrating the heroism of past generations.
Construction of ‘Viktor Velikiy’ commenced on November 25, 2016, and the vessel stands as a testament to Russia’s growing expertise in warship design. Project 22160 corvettes each have a full displacement of around 1,700 tons, offering a cruising range of up to 6,000 nautical miles. They are built to sustain up to 60 days at sea, making them well-suited for long-duration patrol, surveillance, and escort missions. With a standard crew of 28, the ships feature state-of-the-art automation and streamlined logistics support to reduce operational complexity. This staffing arrangement highlights the Russian Navy’s focus on efficiency and modern manpower management.
A key characteristic of the Project 22160 design is modularity. The corvettes are equipped with a 76 mm main gun as standard armament but also possess dedicated space for containerized weapons and specialized mission equipment. This approach allows for rapid configuration changes, depending on the operational requirement. Potential upgrades could include anti-submarine warfare modules, additional anti-ship missiles, or even systems to support unmanned aerial vehicles. Such adaptability makes the class particularly valuable for a wide range of maritime security tasks, from counter-piracy to search-and-rescue operations. The inclusion of a flight deck and hangar accommodates a Ka-27PS helicopter, further expanding the ship’s reconnaissance and anti-submarine capabilities.
Although the ship is ultimately intended for the Black Sea Fleet, the ongoing conflict has influenced its deployment schedule. It is widely anticipated that once hostilities subside, ‘Viktor Velikiy’ will make its way to its permanent station in the Black Sea. There, it will join its sister ships in performing critical missions, including maintaining maritime security, patrolling vital sea lines of communication, and responding to emerging threats in an area that remains geopolitically significant. The Russian Navy has been investing heavily in such multipurpose vessels, which can operate effectively across various theaters and adapt to both peacetime and crisis scenarios.
During the current factory sea trials in the Baltic, every onboard system, from propulsion mechanics to communications and radar arrays, will undergo rigorous scrutiny. Technicians will gather detailed performance data, ensuring any necessary adjustments can be implemented before the ship proceeds to state acceptance tests. If these final steps confirm ‘Viktor Velikiy’ is fully combat-ready, the corvette will officially join the Russian Navy’s order of battle. Its arrival is set to bolster the capabilities of the Black Sea Fleet, underscoring Russia’s broader strategy of deploying modern, versatile warships to strengthen its regional and global naval presence. With advanced technology, extended endurance, and mission-configurable armament, ‘Viktor Velikiy’ illustrates a new era of modular and cost-effective naval solutions.
