26.10.2019, Saint Petersburg.
The heavily-armed Project 23550 icebreaking patrol ship Ivan Papanin was launched at the Admiralty Shipyards on October 25, reports St. Petersburg TV channel.
Admiral Viktor Chirkov, the former commander of the Baltic Fleet, Chief Advisor to the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) took part in the launching ceremony. He spoke about the ship’s unique features, which allow it to patrol and ensure the safety of the Northern Sea Route.
The ships of this class combine the functions of a tugboat, an icebreaker, and can be used in any navigation zone. The ability of breaking through 1,5-meter-thick ice will make them indispensable in the Arctic, where they will escort ships, transport special cargo, and also carry out rescue operations.
The ship, which has a displacement of 8500 tons and a length of 114 m, can sail autonomously for about 60 days. The crew is 49 people; if necessary, it can take an additional crew on board.
The ship will be equipped with an AK-176MA artillery gun mount and Kalibr cruise missiles. It can carry two Raptor-class high-speed patrol boats, a Ka-27 helicopter, and a hovercraft.
The project was developed at JSC Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau.
The first icebreaking patrol ship, named after the famous Soviet Arctic explorer, was laid down on April 19, 2017. The second ship, called Nikolai Zubov in honor of the Soviet polar pilot, will be laid down in 2020.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
