On October 25, at the Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard in St. Petersburg, a solemn ceremony of launching the lead patrol ship Ivan Papanin, under construction according to the new project 23550 Arktika, took place. Construction of a second ship of the same type is expected soon. Two new pennants will provide more effective development and protection of the Arctic for the foreseeable future.
Construction progress
All work on project 23550 is carried out by enterprises from the United Shipbuilding Corporation. The project of a multipurpose patrol ship was developed at the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, and the construction was entrusted to the Admiralty Shipyards. A number of other enterprises are participating in the construction program as equipment suppliers.
The contract for the construction of two "Arctic" for the Ministry of Defense was signed in April 2016. In accordance with the document, the lead ship "Ivan Papanin" was to be handed over to the customer by the end of 2019. 2020 However, already during construction, the financing plan was changed, as a result of which the terms of work were shifted to the right.
Work on the construction of Ivan Papanin began in the fall of 2016, and on April 19, 2017, the official laying took place. On October 25, 2019, the ship was launched into the water for further completion at the wall. In the early twenties, the lead ship will be tested. Its delivery is scheduled for 2023.
The plans for Nikolai Zubov have also been adjusted. It was not pledged in 2018 - this will only happen in 2020. The deadlines have shifted accordingly. The ship will begin service in 2024.
At the moment, only two ships of the project 23550 have been contracted for the navy. In the recent past, it was reported that such ships can also be purchased by the border service of the FSB, but it has not yet placed an order. Moreover, information about the interest on the part of the border guards has not received official confirmation.
Purpose of ships
"Ivan Papanin" and "Nikolay Zubov" belong to the class of universal patrol ships of the Arctic zone, unique for our fleet. They are designed to work in the harsh conditions of the northern seas and therefore have a special design and special tasks. NS. 23550 provides for the construction of a patrol ship with the functions of an icebreaker and a tug.
From icebreakers, new patrol ships receive a reinforced hull and other design features that ensure work in the Arctic. The ship's ice class is Arc7. "Ivan Papanin" is able to overcome ice up to 1.7 m thick. Ice 1 m thick breaks through on a continuous run. The design of the ship as a whole and of its individual systems is adapted to the harsh northern conditions.
In terms of equipment and armament, Project 23550 unites a combat ship and a support ship. There are well-developed systems for detection and destruction. There is also special equipment typical of rescue vessels and tugs.
A universal patrol ship must operate in northern latitudes and solve a number of tasks. First of all, he is a patrol, which is why he must search for and hit surface or air targets. Icebreaking capabilities can be used for their own benefit or for pilotage of other vessels. For the same ship, project 23550 needs towing equipment.
Design features
Project 23550 ship has a full displacement of approx. 9 thousand tons with a length of 114 m and a width of 20 m. There are characteristic rounded bow contours. The multi-tiered superstructure is shifted back. In its stern there is a helicopter hangar. For the use of the last stern of the ship, it forms a take-off area.
The main power plant of the ship is built on the basis of four diesel generators 28-9DG of Kolomna production with a capacity of 3.5 MW each. Concern "Ruselprom" supplies rowing electric motors with a capacity of 6, 3 MW. The movement of the ship is provided by two such motors, rotating two propellers. There is also a bow thruster.
The power plant provides a speed of up to 18 knots and a maximum cruising range of approx. 10 thousand miles.
The crew of the ship is 60 people. It is possible to take on board another 50 people. Autonomy for reserves - 70 days.
The Arctic project proposes the use of a set of various electronic systems for monitoring the situation, searching for targets and targeting weapons. It is reported about the use of radar detection and guidance "Positive", navigation locator, shipborne electronic warfare system, etc.
The main weapon of the Project 23550 patrol is the 76-mm AK-176MA bow artillery mount. It also provides for the use of smaller caliber barrel systems to protect against light floating craft. If necessary, the ship will be able to carry missile strike weapons. To do this, it is proposed to place a container version of the Kalibr complex on it.
The stern hangar and platform provide the basing of the Ka-27 type helicopter or UAVs of various types. In the hull of the ship there are volumes for the transportation of two high-speed boats pr. 03160 "Raptor" and one air-cushion cutter pr. 23321 "Manul".
The ship of project 23550 has stern towing equipment. With its help, it is proposed to provide assistance to those in distress or tow detained ships. It is planned to install two electro-hydraulic cranes with a lifting capacity of 28 tons to work with various loads.
Universal combat unit
Thus, in a few years, the Russian Navy, represented by the Northern Fleet, will receive the first of the promising universal ships capable of solving a wide range of combat and auxiliary missions. Soon after, a second ship of the same type will enter service.
The implementation of the contract for two universal patrol ships of pr. 23550 will have obvious positive consequences. First of all, it should be noted that the surface forces of the Navy in the Arctic will include specialized ships adapted to work in this region. At the same time, they will be able to solve their own combat missions or perform the functions of icebreakers, ensuring the work of other ships.
Available project data indicate the possibility of installing various additional equipment, such as containers of the "Caliber" complex or other equipment. Due to this, the watchdogs will be able to perform various tasks, incl. transport and humanitarian nature. As it was noted at the ceremony of launching the "Ivan Papanin" into the water, this is a military ship created for peaceful work.
However, there are also reasons for criticism. So, the presented ship, with all its advantages, has a limited set of weapons. In the event of a collision with a serious adversary, it may not be sufficient. The patrol can carry Caliber missiles, but they are not part of the standard weapon system.
To protect the Arctic part of the state border and the northern seas, only two ships of the project 23550 have been ordered. The Northern Fleet has powerful surface forces, but it will have only a couple of universal patrol ships at its disposal. Perhaps in the future there will be a new order for a new type of patrol boats, which will strengthen the naval grouping.
The pace of construction is alarming. According to the 2016 agreement, the lead ship "Ivan Papanin" was supposed to start service this year, but it has just been launched. The construction of the second patrol was planned to begin a year ago, but has now been postponed to 2020. The reasons for these shifts are known and understood, but the overall situation is worrying.
Nevertheless, the launch of the lead ship - even if it was out of the original schedule - is in itself cause for optimism. This event kicks off a new stage of work, and in a few years a fundamentally new multipurpose ship will appear in our Navy, and not the last of its kind. Having entered the service, "Ivan Papanin" and "Nikolay Zubov" will be able to demonstrate the full potential of the original concept, which, possibly, will be developed in new projects.
