Caspian Flotilla (CF) will receive two new ships till the end of 2011, says Russian defense ministry’s press release. The question is Project 11661K Gepard corvette Dagestan and Project 21630 Buyan small-size gun ship Volgodonsk .
Both warships were developed by Zelenodolsk Design Bureau and built by Zelenodolsk Shipyard and Almaz Shipbuilding Firm .
Presently, Caspian Flotilla operates one ship of Project 11661K since 2003 – corvette Tatarstan . As is expected, the flotilla would receive three landing ships in the current year. It was reported in May 2011 that State Arms Program 2011-2020 provided 16 new warships including five Buyan -class ones to join Caspian Flotilla.
In 2010 all missile boats were redeployed from Astrakhan to CF bases in Dagestan. That was done with the view to establish an integrated missile ship force. At present, Caspian Flotilla consists of 106th Brigade stationed in Kaspiysk and Makhachkala, and 73rd brigade based in Astrakhan.
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Source: RusNavy, November 11, 2011.