Recently, some situations in the media have caused, if not laughter, then surprise. And the accompanying question: in the name of what is it all?
So it is with the theme of amphibious assault ships on an air cushion (hereinafter - DKVP). It is easier to find a specialized media outlet that did NOT write that our DKVP will be "seriously modernized." If you read what was written, a kind of impression could be created.
“Landing craft on air cushion (DKVP) will be seriously modernized in the near future. They are planning to turn them into real "Star Wars ships".
“The new ACS will control fire weapons and amphibious assault forces in real time. DKVP are considered the most advanced in their class."
"The Russian Navy has the largest fleet of such vessels in the world."
So, ships from Star Wars. Congratulations, we made it.
“The first to be renovated is the Mordovia DKVP of project 12322 Zubr. He will receive modern navigation systems, weapons, as well as communication and control facilities."
In general, "Izvestia" raised a wave, and behind them, and with their submission and light hand, all the others yelled. Even we had this, if I may say so, news, which caused a discussion of almost a hundred comments.
Further on the scene appear to be competent experts such as the former Chief of the Main Staff of the Navy, Admiral Valentin Selivanov, who begin to say that the Zubrs are well suited for operations in inland seas, in areas with a rugged coastline or a large number of islands. They are able to effectively solve a whole range of tasks in the Baltic, Black, Barents and Japanese Seas, ships are fast, they do not need a prepared coast, and so on until the teeth gnash.
Indeed, there is a feeling that a good thing is conceived: the modernization of ships that …
Yes, in the Soviet Union there was such a plan, which is now being talked about in the media. But, without understanding the topic a little, the Russian media were full of reports that the Navy was preparing to "plug" the Baltic Sea. And even the Black Sea.
Another expert spoke about how successfully these ships could operate in the Black Sea and Baltic straits, and he did it so beautifully and skillfully that everyone picked up the idea.
And none of those who write and glorify "Zubra" did not go into details. And it would be worth it.
I really wanted to ask those who write and discuss these terrible operations to clog the Black and Baltic Seas: gentlemen, does it bother you that these DKVPs in the Russian fleet are TWO?
It confuses me.
I am embarrassed that 15 such ships were built in the great and mighty Soviet Union. And from this amount we got 4 units, two ships were decommissioned and disposed of, two are still serving.
The rest, I'm sorry, are there, beyond the horizon. Three were scrapped by Ukraine, four ships each serve in the Greek and Chinese navies.
How some have managed to proudly declare that Russia has the largest fleet of such ships, I do not know. Whatever one may say, 2 is less than 4. But - that's what Izvestia said.
This all reminds us of our neighbor. Yes, it is in Ukraine that the masters have already made a peremog out of anything, but the output will still be "Priora".
So it is here.
Okay, upgrading ONE of the TWO DKVP we have. Perhaps the second is being modernized as well. It will not get worse, but nevertheless, let's think about how this will increase the potential for amphibious operations of the Baltic Fleet? Well, since both ships are serving there?
Yes, not at all.
Two ships can carry:
- 6 tanks;
- or 20 armored personnel carriers;
- or 16 infantry fighting vehicles;
- 280 troops, and if without equipment - 1000.
In general, sparsely. What did they say about the capture of the strait in the Baltic by forces less than a battalion? Okay, let's say in the Baltic there are already four more BDKs of the 775 project of different (from 1983 to 1991) built in the fleet. Enough for a small landing operation against Latvia or Lithuania. With Denmark, they are already taking doubts, they have quite sane ships in service.
But what will look like such an operation about "blocking" the Øresund Strait in the area of operation of the Swedish Navy or the Kadetrinne Strait, where the Germans rule?
In general, such an operation could only arise in the head of the couch genius of Russian bottling. And there will be no "star wars".
Two thirty-year-old ships with an incomplete battalion seize and block the strait in the Baltic Sea … Well, if only on some huge holiday like Christmas. And even then it is unlikely.
Okay, jokes are jokes, but let's be serious.
We have two boats. This is already something, time-tested ships and all that.
And there are two factories where these ships were built 30 years ago. In St. Petersburg, the Primorsky shipyard and in Feodosia, the shipyard "More". "More" generally specialized in hydrofoil ships, air cushion ships, cavern ships, planing ships, in general - the range is still the same.
But now the plant is building missile boats. This is also, in principle, the case.
I think many will agree with me that "if that" - they can. But … But here, as always, our eternal headache comes up with a submarine.
Guess it's engines.
Engines for "Zubrov" were made in Nikolaev. At the GP NPKG "Zorya" - "Mashproekt". I am 200% sure that we will not see the engines of this plant under any circumstances. No, there is one. This is the offensive of the 1st tank and 20th combined-arms armies on Kiev. Then the engines will be there.
So far, the engine outlook is far from encouraging. They simply do not exist.
So, there is nothing special to talk about. And who needed all this hype around the two landing craft is very, very difficult to understand.
Yes, 30 years ago these were ships on the edge. Yes, today they would also be able to carry out some tasks such as an attempt to land the first wave of troops.
Another question is where to plant and why?
"Bison", in spite of everything, are very good ships. And they may well, if they are built in sufficient numbers, implement the tactics of "quick reaction".
Alas, Ukrainian engines from Zorya put an end to the entire project. Overpower another line in Rybinsk? Theoretically, it is possible, practically with the frigates of Project 22350, the problems have not been solved in this regard.
So it turns out that there is no override. The most perfect joy, especially if you remember that the ships are 30 years old, and the service life of the engines is about 4,000 hours. And what to do with them further, no one will clearly explain.
But something was repaired there, and then the whole world began to brag about how two ships would block the straits. It doesn't matter if it is in the Baltic or the Black Sea. The main thing is to block it.
Unfortunately, for some reason the situation is more reminiscent of "Trishkin Kaftan". But with fanfare and loud statements.
Perhaps this is a general trend?
