Russia has revived plans for a large destroyer-sized surface combatant intended for sustained operations in the world’s oceans. The ambition is considerable, but Moscow’s shipbuilding record, wartime priorities and economic position make delivery far less certain, Navy Lookout reports.
In late July 2026, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, confirmed that Russia intends to build a new class of ocean-going surface combatant of around 9,500 tonnes, roughly twice the displacement of its current Gorshkov-class (Project 22350) frigates, describing a vessel designed for sustained deployment on the world’s oceans.
Russia has failed to build a surface combatant larger than a frigate since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but President Putin reinforced that ambition, telling navy personnel that large surface combatants would remain “the backbone of the Navy.” Although a bold declaration of intent, it is also one that Russia’s shipyards, its budget and the evidence of the past three years suggest it is very unlikely to deliver.
The full report is here.
