Gorshkov is assessed as Russia's first real frigate class built around these stealth capabilities. Earlier frigates also had stealth features, so the claim concerns the character of the program. Long gaps between individual earlier ships make them closer to technological test beds in this interpretation. Repeated construction of the Gorshkov design gives the term class more substance.
Notable Point · 39:26-40:21
Gorshkov and the move from test beds to a ship class
The distinction between isolated experimental ships and a production class shapes the assessment of Gorshkov's stealth features.