2012 brought two interesting news for the Russian Navy. The first event of an optimistic nature took place on February 1 in the small port town of Saint-Nazaire in the west of France - on that day at the STX France shipyard began cutting metal for the first universal amphibious assault helicopter carrier Mistral a la rus. Along the way, the name of the future ship became known - "Vladivostok".
It is noteworthy that, despite the Russian-French nature of the agreement, the construction of two Mistrals for the Russian Navy is de facto carried out at the STX shipyard, owned by South Korea! A large-scale international project, in which a good half of the world is involved. The total value of the contract, according to open sources, amounted to 1.7 billion euros.
The second important news was announced in September: the Russian Defense Ministry decided to hold an unusual auction. Lot is the largest amphibious assault ship of the Russian Navy to date, the last BDK of project 1174 (code "Rhino").
- Million dollars!
- Million dollars. Who is bigger?
- Two million!
- Two million times! Two million two …
And "Mitrofan Moskalenko" went under the hammer.
However, the results of this farce are known in advance - "Mitrofan Moskalenko" will not cost more than $ 2.5 million - this is the maximum market value of 11 thousand tons of steel structures of the old ship's hull. The last of the large Soviet large landing ships is sold for the price of ordinary scrap metal.
To a reasonable question: Why are you doing this? - representatives of the Ministry of Defense found a well-reasoned answer:
- The Russian Defense Ministry has decided to write off and scrapped the Mitrofan Moskalenko large landing craft primarily for economic reasons. Repairing it would have cost the amount to build at least two small artillery ships. And from a strategic point of view, its relevance is not obvious - Russia is not going to land amphibious assault anywhere yet.
Everything goes as usual. It would seem, what does the purchase of an ultra-modern helicopter carrier in France have to do with the tragicomedy with the disposal of old Soviet rubbish? A source in the Ministry of Defense is absolutely right: given the current state of the Russian Navy and the general geopolitical situation in the world, amphibious assault operations are possible only in the form of joint operations by the forces of Russia and NATO countries. Obviously, this contradicts the foreign policy interests of Russia, and, therefore, the landing ships of the Russian Navy are not needed in principle.
The economic factor is also important - the repair of the old large landing craft "Mitrofan Moskalenko" will cost like the construction of two new small artillery ships … Stop!
Compare MAC and BDK? Guys, this sounds as ridiculous as the advertising slogan: "Buy a car and get a baseball cap as a gift." MAK and Mitrofan Moskalenko are things of two different categories. 14000-ton universal ocean-going ship and 500-ton coastal boat with primitive weapons.
You say that the repair of "Moskalenko" costs, like the construction of two new small artillery ships? According to official data, the construction of the small artillery ship "Astrakhan" (the head MAK project 21630 "Buyan") cost Russia 372 million rubles. Or about 10 million, if you count in European currency. Two small artillery ships - 20 million euros.
For comparison: the purchase of each Mistral cost Russia 800 million euros!
But is it correct to compare an outdated Soviet-built trough with an ultra-modern French ship?
Mistral-class multipurpose amphibious helicopter dock
The standard displacement is 16,500 tons.
Full displacement of 21,300 tons.
Length 199 m, width 32 m, draft 6, 3 m.
Power plant: three 32-cylinder ship diesel generators ("Vyartislya", Finland).
Propeller: two propellers of the Azipod type (Rolls-Royce, Great Britain).
Maximum speed 18.8 knots.
Cruising range: 10,700 nautical miles at an economic speed of 15 knots.
Amphibious capabilities:
- docking camera, 4 landing craft type CTM or 2 fast landing craft on air cushion type LCAC;
- flight deck, helicopter hangar, two lifts. Up to 16 units of large aircraft: combat, transport or multipurpose helicopters (foreign NH-90, Tiger; domestic Ka-27, Ka-29, Ka-52 Alligator).
- "Mistral" is capable of taking on board a tank battalion - 40 MBT "Leclerc" or up to 280 units of trucks and light armored vehicles.
- personnel premises are designed to accommodate 450 marines (with the possibility of a short-term increase to 900 people).
Defensive armament: two Simbad self-defense air defense systems (based on MANPADS), two 30 mm automatic guns.
Dixmude (L9015) in Jounieh Bay (Lebanon)
The Mistral is simply charming. An automated all-electric vessel requiring minimal logistical support. A universal "democratizer" capable of urgently delivering a battalion of marines, equipment and equipment to any area of the World Ocean. Cargo ramps, speedboats and helicopters.
Grand flagship command post: 900 sq. meters, 160 operator workplaces, satellite communications. Effective control of a naval formation or any combined-arms amphibious operation.
Equipped hospital with an area of 750 sq. meters with the possibility of increasing modularly, at the expense of other premises of the ship. If necessary, there can be provided the work of 100 medical personnel in 12 operating rooms.
The most advanced detection means: Thales MRR-3D-NG three-dimensional radar, which provides air monitoring within a radius of 180 km from the ship's side. Or the Vampir NG infrared search and sighting system capable of detecting and escorting low-flying anti-ship missiles and high-speed boats at any time of the day and in all weather conditions.
The Mistral is a really cool ship, a real step forward in terms of crew and troop accommodation. The latest electronics and control systems, a spacious flight deck. Spacious holds and comfortable cockpits. A real amphibious helicopter dock of the XXI century.
Project 1174 large landing ship (code "Rhino")
Standard displacement 11,500 tons;
Full displacement 14,000 tons;
Length 157.5 m, width 24 m, draft 6.7 m.
GEM: two gas turbine units М8К (2 х 18,000 hp);
The maximum speed is 21 knots.
Cruising range: 7,500 nautical miles at an economic speed of 14 knots.
Amphibious capabilities:
"Rhino" is able to take on board up to 2500 tons of cargo: in the bow of the large landing craft there is a tank hold (length 54 m, width 12 m, height about 5 m), in the stern of the ship there is a dock chamber (length 75 m, width 12 m, height about 10 m).
BDK provides transportation and disembarkation of a motorized rifle battalion, including 440 people and 79 pieces of equipment (armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, cars, etc.). In the absence of landing craft in the docking chamber, the Rhino can take on board a tank unit with 46 main battle tanks. Autonomy - 15 days when transporting 500 paratroopers or 30 days when transporting 250 paratroopers.
The bow gangway is 32 meters long and is hydraulically operated. The landing with non-floating equipment can be carried out directly on the unequipped coast with a ford depth on the gangway no more than 1, 2 m. According to statistics, the BDK project 1174 can provide landing with the help of the bow gangway on 17% of the coast of the World Ocean.
Cargo ramp for the reception and disembarkation of troops on the equipped berth.
To unload non-floating equipment without approaching the shore, six landing craft of project 1176 (capacity of 1 MBT, speed of 10-11 knots) or three high-speed landing boats on an air cavity of project 11770 "Serna" (speed up to 27 knots with excitement 3 points).
Aircraft armament: two helipads with refueling systems, the ship can carry up to 4 Ka-29 transport and combat helicopters.
Also, "Rhino" is equipped with a system for receiving liquid and solid cargo at sea.
Built-in weapons:
- SAM short-range "Osa-M" (20 missiles ammunition);
- twin artillery mount AK-726 caliber 76 mm;
- two batteries of anti-aircraft guns AK-630;
- two multiple launch rocket systems A-215 "Grad-M" for artillery support of the landing.
A monumental ship! Predatory "jaws" of the bow gate, constructive trim at the stern, heavy developed superstructure. In general, a real Rhino!
Back in 1978, the Soviet Navy received unique naval equipment - a universal amphibious assault ship that has no analogues, capable of landing marines either directly on an equipped or unequipped coast, and without approaching the coast: floating equipment - directly on the water, non-floating - to deliver to the shore on landing boats. At the same time, the personnel of the landing force could be delivered to any place on the coast using the transport-combat helicopters available on board.
However, the role of the "Rhino" was not limited only to the delivery and landing of troops - if necessary, the ship could provide the marines with solid fire support: two MLRS Grad-M installations (2 x 40 guides of 122 mm caliber, reload time - 2 minutes) and bow 76 mm twin artillery system AK-726. There was even its own air defense missile system "Osa-M"!
Unlike the beloved Mistral, the Rhino landing craft really has less autonomy and less efficiency when carrying out amphibious operations on the other side of the Earth. But was it that important? At one time, the Soviet Navy had naval bases and points of material and technical supply around the world - from Vietnam and Cuba to Somalia. As for the modern Russian Navy, our sailors will clearly not have to land troops in French Polynesia - the Mistral's higher autonomy will remain unclaimed. In other words, in terms of cruising range and autonomy, the Mistral in Russian conditions has no advantages over the old Project 1174 large landing craft.
The carrying capacity and capacity of the Mistral is naturally greater - it is 1.5 times larger than the Rhino. But is the advantage of the French ship so noticeable? Advertising brochures declare 120 vehicles aboard the Soviet large landing craft and 280 vehicles aboard the Mistral.
But, it is important to understand that a warship is not a means for ferrying supported foreign cars from Japan. The paratroopers going into battle require a very specific technique - TANKS. Practice shows that without the support of heavy armored vehicles, engaging in battle is problematic and dangerous. The landing party definitely needs an MBT.
How many main battle tanks will fit aboard the Mistral and Rhino?
The answer is paradoxical: the same! On average, one battalion of 40 MBTs. It looks like not every cargo deck on the Mistral will support the weight of a 50-tonne combat tracked vehicle. However, in this case, the "Rhino" will also have troubles - they will have to abandon the landing boats, placing the tanks in the empty docking chamber.
(There are various pessimistic assumptions that the maximum number of MBTs on board the Mistral cannot exceed 5 … 13 units - tanks are placed on the platform in front of the docking chamber and directly on board the landing boats. The rest of the decks and ramps of the French ship have a limitation on the mass of armored vehicles - not more than 32 tons)
As for aircraft armament, the domestic large landing craft is, of course, a net loss: 3 times fewer landing sites, only four helicopters. However, what does it matter in real life? - for a real amphibious operation, TEN times more rotorcraft are required. Take the Falklands Conflict as an example, a localized naval battle at the ends of the Earth. Nevertheless, the operation involved … 130 British helicopters!
The Soviet amphibious assault ship has its own important advantage - a solid complex of built-in weapons. The mass of weapons installed on board the large landing craft exceeds 100 tons - the "Rhino" bristled from all sides with missile launchers and artillery barrels.
Of course, no one harbors illusions about the combat capabilities of the outdated Osa-M air defense system … but what prevents the complex from being dismantled and replaced by something else? For example, the compact shipborne air defense system "Shtil". Not satisfied with the 26-ton AK-726 gun mount? Change it to the new A-192 system of a larger caliber. And what prevents you from installing the "Broadsword" missile and artillery complex instead of the AK-630 metal-cutter battery?
Finally, the Grad multiple launch rocket systems. The legendary weapon, even after half a century, remains one of the deadliest missile and artillery systems and hardly needs to be replaced.
You will say that this is a very expensive proposal, a radical overhaul of the Rhino project will be required … well, so, it is planned to spend 800 million euros on the purchase of each Mistral. There is confidence that half of this colossal amount would be enough to modernize the old Rhino large landing craft.
As a result, we are witnessing an interesting situation: based on the realities of the Russian Navy, the old Soviet BDK corresponds to its overseas competitor in most of the declared characteristics. Moreover, the "Rhino" is much more preferable when performing the main task of landing ships - delivering heavy equipment and armored vehicles to the coast (everything else can be done by ordinary container ships and destroyers). Unlike the Mistral, it does not need to waste time moving tanks from cargo decks to landing boats with their subsequent unloading on the coast. Filling the docking chamber with water, mooring boats … too long and time consuming operation.
The "Rhino" will simply walk up to the shore, stick the bow gangway into the sand and drop the equipment on its own. Do not be intimidated by the statistics that only 17% of the coast of the World Ocean is suitable for landing through the bow gangway of the BDK (suitable bottom slope, the nature of the soil, etc.) - in reality this means hundreds of thousands of kilometers of coastline. You can always find a suitable place.
***
However, it is not even a matter of the number of guns and tanks on board the Rhino or Mistral. Those articles on the national economy that the author managed to read clearly testify: the most profitable investment of funds is investment in one's own production. Protectionism, protection of domestic producers, customs barriers - all this is a real confirmation of this theory.
To avoid unhealthy associations, note that the following passage does not apply to "Rhino".
Sometimes it does not matter that domestic equipment is inferior to foreign counterparts in its performance characteristics - the main thing is that it was built in Russia. Domestic shipyards and factories are overloaded with work, the well-being of the population is growing. Simple, intuitive conclusions.
But what happened in reality? The interests of the sailors were in last place. The large landing craft "Mitrofan Moskalenko" went for the nails. His colleague, Mistral, has become a bargaining chip in the geopolitical game, a kind of payment for Russian-French cooperation.
MLRS A-215 "Grad-M" on board the large landing craft of pr. 775 "Konstantin Olshansky" (Ukrainian Navy)
