Status and prospects of landing forces of the Russian Navy
As part of the Russian naval fleet there are quite numerous landing forces, which include ships and boats of many projects. This component of the Navy is designed to deliver troops to the specified area and to ensure landing on a prepared or unprepared coast. The Russian shipbuilding industry builds various landing ships and boats and ensures the development of the surface fleet. However, the current state and prospects of the landing forces may be cause for concern.
According to open data, there are currently more than fifty amphibious ships and boats in the Russian Navy. Such combat units serve as part of all operational-strategic alliances and provide a solution to actual problems. In particular, amphibious ships in recent years are one of the main means of supplying Russian troops in Syria. In addition, landing forces provide the development of remote areas of the Arctic.
BDK "Ivan Gren" project 11711. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
List of ships
Last year, the newest large landing ship Ivan Gren, project 11711, was accepted into the naval forces. This year, it is expected that the second BDK of this project, Peter Morgunov, will be handed over to the customer. The ships of the project 11711 with a displacement of 5 thousand tons have a large landing deck, capable of accommodating up to 13 tanks, up to 36 armored combat vehicles or up to 300 paratroopers. The ship also carries two Ka-29 helicopters. Large-caliber machine guns of the AK-630M family are used to support the landing.
XDUMX-type BDKs were developed based on the Tapir 11711 project. Four ships of this type remain in service - the Saratov, Orsk, Nikolai Vilkov and Nikolai Filchenkov. 1171 ton ships can carry up to 4360 tanks or 20 armored personnel carriers. There are quotes on 45 people. Armament "Tapirov" depends on the modification. On ships of different series, A-300 Grad-M multiple rocket launcher systems, Strela or Igla anti-aircraft systems, as well as 215 and 25 caliber artillery systems are used.
The most massive BDK of the Russian Navy are the ships of the 775 project. From 28 built ships in the ranks are 16. Such BDKs with a full displacement of 4,4 thousand tons are capable of taking on board 10 medium tanks or 10-12 units of other armored vehicles, as well as 340 paratroopers. When landing, they support the installation of Grad-M and MANPADS, as well as AK-725 artillery mounts with 57 caliber mm or AK-176 with 76 mm caliber and anti-aircraft guns AK-630М.
Ship "Caesar Kunikov" pr. 775 / II, Black Sea Fleet. Photo of Wikimedia Commons
The unique representatives of the Russian landing forces are the small landing craft on the 12322 Zubr project. Unfortunately, only two such ships remained from a fairly large series in the ranks. The Bison is capable of carrying an 3 tank or up to 10 light armored vehicles. There are squads for 140 man landing. The cargo deck can be re-equipped to accommodate personnel and provide transportation to another 366 person. Ships of the 12322 Ave. carry a pair of A-22 “Fire” salvo systems and two AK-630 assault rifles. MANPADS are also available. The most important feature of the “Bison” is the presence of an air cushion, which allows it to reach speeds up to 60 nodes and reach the gentle sections of the coast.
The fleet also has almost three dozen landing craft of several projects. From the point of view of total numbers, they are the basis of the landing forces of the Russian Navy. More numerous boats should complement large ships and speed up the delivery of the landing force to the coast.
The oldest of the service carriers are amphibious boats of the 1176 "Shark", built since the beginning of the seventies. Now in the Navy 13 listed such boats. Her four continue to serve in other power structures. The Shark has a full displacement of just over 107 tons. It can take up to 50 tons of cargo — one tank, two light armored vehicles or two trucks, as well as 20 paratroopers. Own armament is missing.
Small landing ships pr 12322 "Bison". Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
Continue the service of 12 landing craft project 11770 "Serna". These boats have a full displacement of 105 tons and are capable of speeds up to 30 knots. High road performance is achieved through the use of so-called. air cavern under the bottom of the case. "Serna" takes on board the 45 tons of cargo. This can be a tank or a pair of combat vehicles or up to 92 man landing. There is no standard weapon, the troops have to rely only on their own weapon.
The development of the ideas of “Serna” was the 21820 “Dugong” project, which also uses the principle of the air cavern. To date, five new ships of the 21820 Ave. have been built. The boats have a displacement of 280 t and a carrying capacity of 140 t. They can transport 2 tanks or 4 infantry fighting vehicles or up to 90 people. Unlike its predecessors, the Dugong gets a pair of thumbnail installations with KPV machine guns, and also carries several MANPADS.
In the recent past, construction of high-speed landing craft of the 02510 / BK-16 avenue began. The fleet has already received at least three such boats. This technique is intended only for use by special forces and can not carry large loads. The cabin contains the 19 man, and the transport of large weapons or equipment is impossible. The landing force is supported by the fire of one large-caliber machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher, as well as by four PKM machine guns.
Landing craft D-70 Ave 1176 (Pacific Fleet). Wikimedia Commons Photos
In the past, a significant number of hovercraft were present as part of the landing force, but by now all of them have stopped their service and set out for disassembly. The last samples were transferred for recycling in the middle and in the second half of the two thousandth.
Fleet Forces
As already mentioned, landing ships and boats are part of all the fleets of the Russian Navy. The largest grouping of this kind has the Baltic Fleet - 15 units. As part of the Black Sea Fleet serves 11 amphibious ships and boats. The landing forces of the Northern and Pacific Fleet have 10 (according to other data, 9) and 9 combat units, respectively. The Caspian flotilla operates no more than 7 landing craft.
The landing forces of the Baltic Fleet include four BDKs of the 775 project - three units of the 775 / II Ave. and one ship of the 775 / III Ave. It is the Baltic Fleet that owns a pair of Zubr-type hovercraft. He also has three boats of 1176, 11770 and 21820 projects. Total, six ships and nine boats. This group has repeatedly confirmed its capabilities during the exercise. In addition, the ships of the Baltic Fleet are involved in the supply of the Syrian group.
On the Black Sea are three BDK project 1171 "Tapir." One of them, BDK-65 "Saratov", is currently under repair. There are also three ships project 775 / II; two of them continue to serve, and the Yamal BDK-67 is being renovated and modernized. There is one BDK project 775 / III - BDK-54 "Azov". Also, the Black Sea Fleet has two boats Ave 11770 "Serna" and one type "Shark". The exact status of the latter is unknown. According to some reports, this boat is awaiting write-off.
Boats project 11770 "Serna" Caspian Flotilla. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
The basis of the landing forces of the Northern Fleet are four BDK project 775 / II, and only three continue to serve. The ship "Olenegorsky miner" until the end of this year will remain under repair. Since last year, the only BDK Ave 11711 has been serving in the Northern Fleet. The grouping of boats includes three units of the 1176 “Shark” project, as well as two new BC-16. The status of one of the boats of the type "Shark" is unknown. Perhaps it is placed in reserve or even written off. The Northern Fleet ensures the development of the Arctic grouping of the armed forces, and its BDK repeatedly delivered various cargoes to remote islands.
The Pacific Fleet has one large amphibious assault ship of the “Tapir” project - “Nikolay Vilkov”. Another two of his BDK built on pr. 775. Also there is a BDK "Peresvet" project 775 / III. There are five boats of three basic types: three “Sharks”, as well as one “Serna” and one “Dugong”. According to some reports, the boat D-70 pr 1176 in the foreseeable future will be decommissioned and disposed of due to physical obsolescence. According to other information, it has already been written off.
The Caspian flotilla as a whole is not distinguished by large numbers, and its landing forces are no exception. For the transportation and landing of paratroopers, it has only seven boats of three types. This is one boat of the 1176 Ave., as well as five units of the Serna type and one boat of the Dugong type. Larger landing ships in the Caspian flotilla are absent.
Landing craft "Michman Lermontov" pr. 21820 "Dugong". Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
Near future
In recent years, the Russian Ministry of Defense and the shipbuilding industry have been implementing State armaments programs, including the construction of ships and boats of various types. The existing programs planned for the near future propose the construction of a certain number of new combat units for the landing forces of the Navy. However, some plans are still not defined and are subject to change.
Already this year, shipbuilders should complete the testing of the newest large amphibious assault ship "Peter Morgunov" of the 11711 project. Until recently, it was claimed that the construction of the BDK Ave. 11711 would end there, but a few weeks ago new information appeared. In early December, the management of the United Shipbuilding Corporation told about plans to finalize an existing project. Then, according to the updated project, two or three new ships can be built. Whether a modernized project will be created, and when renewed ships may appear depends on the command and its views on the development of the fleet.
In the coming years, the laying of the first landing craft of the new series should take place. Last fall, plans were announced to revive the construction of hovercraft 12061 "Moray" project, or rather their upgraded version. The Ministry of Defense wants to get eight of these boats. According to the actual plans of last autumn, the construction should have started in 2021 at the Khabarovsk Shipbuilding Plant, however, the question of transferring the laying of the head boat to the 2019 was considered.
The landing boat on the airbag of the 12061 "Moray" project. Photo USC / aoosk.ru
According to various sources, in the foreseeable future, the fleet will receive a number of new high-speed landing craft Ave. 02510 / BK-16. In addition, similar power structures will receive similar equipment. Such boats are of interest not only for the Russian Navy.
Over the past few years, the possibility of building the first domestic universal amphibious ships has been discussed. In 2015, the industry proposed to the fleet a project with the working title “Surf”, which envisages the construction of a UDK with a displacement of 24 thousand tons with the possibility of transporting land and amphibious equipment, landing craft, and also helicopters. The maximum cargo deck capacity is defined in 45-50 armored vehicles; Kubrick can provide 500 paratroopers. The ship is proposed to equip with artillery and rocket armament. Also, the landing must support attack helicopters, taking off from the deck of the UDC.
Since 2015, officials have repeatedly spoken about the fundamental possibility of the future construction of a UDC of the type "Surf" or other similar combat units, but the real work in this direction has not yet begun. Terms of the possible start of construction are constantly shifting to the right. Apparently, the construction of the head "Surf" will begin no earlier than the first half of the twenties - provided that the Ministry of Defense still orders such a ship.
Actual questions
Currently, the Russian Navy has more than fifty amphibious ships and boats of a number of types. The existing combat units serve as part of all the main fleets, and their overwhelming majority continues to serve. Several ships and boats are still being repaired, and the status of a certain amount of equipment is unclear. Nevertheless, even without “doubtful” and repaired ships, the amphibious forces remain quite numerous and are fully capable of accomplishing the tasks assigned.
The layout of the universal landing ship of the type "Surf", 2015 g. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
It should be noted that, at present, the landing forces face significant problems and difficulties. First of all, the difficulties associated with the age of technology, as well as the expenditure of a resource when solving actual problems. Over the past decades, the Navy received only one large landing ship, the Ivan Gren. Older BDK began service no later than the beginning of the nineties. The situation in the field of amphibious boats is much better. In recent years, new boats of the Serna and Dugong projects have been built in substantial quantities. Their appearance allowed to write off some of the outdated technology.
The problem of the age of the BDK is aggravated by the fact that in recent years they have had to work actively, ensuring the solution of important problems. Since 2012, it is the large landing ships that are the basis of the so-called. Syrian express. For several years, they have been transporting military and civilian cargo from our country to Syria. Such support of a friendly state is of great political and humanitarian importance, but it leads to the development of the resource of ships - and without that is not the newest.
Industry is building new ships and boats, but its pace may not be sufficient to produce the desired results. Shipyards are loaded with more priority orders: while the Ministry of Defense prefers well-armed multi-purpose warships, while landing forces have a lower priority. In addition, the financial capabilities of the military are not limitless. All this reduces the rate of renewal of the material part, which, in combination with other relevant factors, does not contribute to the speedy rearmament and development of landing forces.
Nevertheless, it must be admitted that in recent years the situation has been changing for the better. The construction of new ships and boats of all major classes, including those capable of transporting and disembarking troops. Also, the development of completely new projects is being carried out, on which new ships will be built in the future. Thus, the current state of the Russian Navy amphibious forces can hardly be called ideal, but there are grounds for cautious optimism. With timely and full implementation of various plans, the fleet will be able to maintain the required amphibious potential, and then multiply it. However, this will have to make a lot of effort and spend a lot of time.
On the materials of the sites:
http://mil.ru/
https://ria.ru/
https://tass.ru/
http://tvzvezda.ru/
https://flot.com/
https://flotprom.ru/
http://flot.sevastopol.info/
According to open data, there are currently more than fifty amphibious ships and boats in the Russian Navy. Such combat units serve as part of all operational-strategic alliances and provide a solution to actual problems. In particular, amphibious ships in recent years are one of the main means of supplying Russian troops in Syria. In addition, landing forces provide the development of remote areas of the Arctic.
BDK "Ivan Gren" project 11711. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
List of ships
Last year, the newest large landing ship Ivan Gren, project 11711, was accepted into the naval forces. This year, it is expected that the second BDK of this project, Peter Morgunov, will be handed over to the customer. The ships of the project 11711 with a displacement of 5 thousand tons have a large landing deck, capable of accommodating up to 13 tanks, up to 36 armored combat vehicles or up to 300 paratroopers. The ship also carries two Ka-29 helicopters. Large-caliber machine guns of the AK-630M family are used to support the landing.
XDUMX-type BDKs were developed based on the Tapir 11711 project. Four ships of this type remain in service - the Saratov, Orsk, Nikolai Vilkov and Nikolai Filchenkov. 1171 ton ships can carry up to 4360 tanks or 20 armored personnel carriers. There are quotes on 45 people. Armament "Tapirov" depends on the modification. On ships of different series, A-300 Grad-M multiple rocket launcher systems, Strela or Igla anti-aircraft systems, as well as 215 and 25 caliber artillery systems are used.
The most massive BDK of the Russian Navy are the ships of the 775 project. From 28 built ships in the ranks are 16. Such BDKs with a full displacement of 4,4 thousand tons are capable of taking on board 10 medium tanks or 10-12 units of other armored vehicles, as well as 340 paratroopers. When landing, they support the installation of Grad-M and MANPADS, as well as AK-725 artillery mounts with 57 caliber mm or AK-176 with 76 mm caliber and anti-aircraft guns AK-630М.
Ship "Caesar Kunikov" pr. 775 / II, Black Sea Fleet. Photo of Wikimedia Commons
The unique representatives of the Russian landing forces are the small landing craft on the 12322 Zubr project. Unfortunately, only two such ships remained from a fairly large series in the ranks. The Bison is capable of carrying an 3 tank or up to 10 light armored vehicles. There are squads for 140 man landing. The cargo deck can be re-equipped to accommodate personnel and provide transportation to another 366 person. Ships of the 12322 Ave. carry a pair of A-22 “Fire” salvo systems and two AK-630 assault rifles. MANPADS are also available. The most important feature of the “Bison” is the presence of an air cushion, which allows it to reach speeds up to 60 nodes and reach the gentle sections of the coast.
The fleet also has almost three dozen landing craft of several projects. From the point of view of total numbers, they are the basis of the landing forces of the Russian Navy. More numerous boats should complement large ships and speed up the delivery of the landing force to the coast.
The oldest of the service carriers are amphibious boats of the 1176 "Shark", built since the beginning of the seventies. Now in the Navy 13 listed such boats. Her four continue to serve in other power structures. The Shark has a full displacement of just over 107 tons. It can take up to 50 tons of cargo — one tank, two light armored vehicles or two trucks, as well as 20 paratroopers. Own armament is missing.
Small landing ships pr 12322 "Bison". Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
Continue the service of 12 landing craft project 11770 "Serna". These boats have a full displacement of 105 tons and are capable of speeds up to 30 knots. High road performance is achieved through the use of so-called. air cavern under the bottom of the case. "Serna" takes on board the 45 tons of cargo. This can be a tank or a pair of combat vehicles or up to 92 man landing. There is no standard weapon, the troops have to rely only on their own weapon.
The development of the ideas of “Serna” was the 21820 “Dugong” project, which also uses the principle of the air cavern. To date, five new ships of the 21820 Ave. have been built. The boats have a displacement of 280 t and a carrying capacity of 140 t. They can transport 2 tanks or 4 infantry fighting vehicles or up to 90 people. Unlike its predecessors, the Dugong gets a pair of thumbnail installations with KPV machine guns, and also carries several MANPADS.
In the recent past, construction of high-speed landing craft of the 02510 / BK-16 avenue began. The fleet has already received at least three such boats. This technique is intended only for use by special forces and can not carry large loads. The cabin contains the 19 man, and the transport of large weapons or equipment is impossible. The landing force is supported by the fire of one large-caliber machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher, as well as by four PKM machine guns.
Landing craft D-70 Ave 1176 (Pacific Fleet). Wikimedia Commons Photos
In the past, a significant number of hovercraft were present as part of the landing force, but by now all of them have stopped their service and set out for disassembly. The last samples were transferred for recycling in the middle and in the second half of the two thousandth.
Fleet Forces
As already mentioned, landing ships and boats are part of all the fleets of the Russian Navy. The largest grouping of this kind has the Baltic Fleet - 15 units. As part of the Black Sea Fleet serves 11 amphibious ships and boats. The landing forces of the Northern and Pacific Fleet have 10 (according to other data, 9) and 9 combat units, respectively. The Caspian flotilla operates no more than 7 landing craft.
The landing forces of the Baltic Fleet include four BDKs of the 775 project - three units of the 775 / II Ave. and one ship of the 775 / III Ave. It is the Baltic Fleet that owns a pair of Zubr-type hovercraft. He also has three boats of 1176, 11770 and 21820 projects. Total, six ships and nine boats. This group has repeatedly confirmed its capabilities during the exercise. In addition, the ships of the Baltic Fleet are involved in the supply of the Syrian group.
On the Black Sea are three BDK project 1171 "Tapir." One of them, BDK-65 "Saratov", is currently under repair. There are also three ships project 775 / II; two of them continue to serve, and the Yamal BDK-67 is being renovated and modernized. There is one BDK project 775 / III - BDK-54 "Azov". Also, the Black Sea Fleet has two boats Ave 11770 "Serna" and one type "Shark". The exact status of the latter is unknown. According to some reports, this boat is awaiting write-off.
Boats project 11770 "Serna" Caspian Flotilla. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
The basis of the landing forces of the Northern Fleet are four BDK project 775 / II, and only three continue to serve. The ship "Olenegorsky miner" until the end of this year will remain under repair. Since last year, the only BDK Ave 11711 has been serving in the Northern Fleet. The grouping of boats includes three units of the 1176 “Shark” project, as well as two new BC-16. The status of one of the boats of the type "Shark" is unknown. Perhaps it is placed in reserve or even written off. The Northern Fleet ensures the development of the Arctic grouping of the armed forces, and its BDK repeatedly delivered various cargoes to remote islands.
The Pacific Fleet has one large amphibious assault ship of the “Tapir” project - “Nikolay Vilkov”. Another two of his BDK built on pr. 775. Also there is a BDK "Peresvet" project 775 / III. There are five boats of three basic types: three “Sharks”, as well as one “Serna” and one “Dugong”. According to some reports, the boat D-70 pr 1176 in the foreseeable future will be decommissioned and disposed of due to physical obsolescence. According to other information, it has already been written off.
The Caspian flotilla as a whole is not distinguished by large numbers, and its landing forces are no exception. For the transportation and landing of paratroopers, it has only seven boats of three types. This is one boat of the 1176 Ave., as well as five units of the Serna type and one boat of the Dugong type. Larger landing ships in the Caspian flotilla are absent.
Landing craft "Michman Lermontov" pr. 21820 "Dugong". Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
Near future
In recent years, the Russian Ministry of Defense and the shipbuilding industry have been implementing State armaments programs, including the construction of ships and boats of various types. The existing programs planned for the near future propose the construction of a certain number of new combat units for the landing forces of the Navy. However, some plans are still not defined and are subject to change.
Already this year, shipbuilders should complete the testing of the newest large amphibious assault ship "Peter Morgunov" of the 11711 project. Until recently, it was claimed that the construction of the BDK Ave. 11711 would end there, but a few weeks ago new information appeared. In early December, the management of the United Shipbuilding Corporation told about plans to finalize an existing project. Then, according to the updated project, two or three new ships can be built. Whether a modernized project will be created, and when renewed ships may appear depends on the command and its views on the development of the fleet.
In the coming years, the laying of the first landing craft of the new series should take place. Last fall, plans were announced to revive the construction of hovercraft 12061 "Moray" project, or rather their upgraded version. The Ministry of Defense wants to get eight of these boats. According to the actual plans of last autumn, the construction should have started in 2021 at the Khabarovsk Shipbuilding Plant, however, the question of transferring the laying of the head boat to the 2019 was considered.
The landing boat on the airbag of the 12061 "Moray" project. Photo USC / aoosk.ru
According to various sources, in the foreseeable future, the fleet will receive a number of new high-speed landing craft Ave. 02510 / BK-16. In addition, similar power structures will receive similar equipment. Such boats are of interest not only for the Russian Navy.
Over the past few years, the possibility of building the first domestic universal amphibious ships has been discussed. In 2015, the industry proposed to the fleet a project with the working title “Surf”, which envisages the construction of a UDK with a displacement of 24 thousand tons with the possibility of transporting land and amphibious equipment, landing craft, and also helicopters. The maximum cargo deck capacity is defined in 45-50 armored vehicles; Kubrick can provide 500 paratroopers. The ship is proposed to equip with artillery and rocket armament. Also, the landing must support attack helicopters, taking off from the deck of the UDC.
Since 2015, officials have repeatedly spoken about the fundamental possibility of the future construction of a UDC of the type "Surf" or other similar combat units, but the real work in this direction has not yet begun. Terms of the possible start of construction are constantly shifting to the right. Apparently, the construction of the head "Surf" will begin no earlier than the first half of the twenties - provided that the Ministry of Defense still orders such a ship.
Actual questions
Currently, the Russian Navy has more than fifty amphibious ships and boats of a number of types. The existing combat units serve as part of all the main fleets, and their overwhelming majority continues to serve. Several ships and boats are still being repaired, and the status of a certain amount of equipment is unclear. Nevertheless, even without “doubtful” and repaired ships, the amphibious forces remain quite numerous and are fully capable of accomplishing the tasks assigned.
The layout of the universal landing ship of the type "Surf", 2015 g. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
It should be noted that, at present, the landing forces face significant problems and difficulties. First of all, the difficulties associated with the age of technology, as well as the expenditure of a resource when solving actual problems. Over the past decades, the Navy received only one large landing ship, the Ivan Gren. Older BDK began service no later than the beginning of the nineties. The situation in the field of amphibious boats is much better. In recent years, new boats of the Serna and Dugong projects have been built in substantial quantities. Their appearance allowed to write off some of the outdated technology.
The problem of the age of the BDK is aggravated by the fact that in recent years they have had to work actively, ensuring the solution of important problems. Since 2012, it is the large landing ships that are the basis of the so-called. Syrian express. For several years, they have been transporting military and civilian cargo from our country to Syria. Such support of a friendly state is of great political and humanitarian importance, but it leads to the development of the resource of ships - and without that is not the newest.
Industry is building new ships and boats, but its pace may not be sufficient to produce the desired results. Shipyards are loaded with more priority orders: while the Ministry of Defense prefers well-armed multi-purpose warships, while landing forces have a lower priority. In addition, the financial capabilities of the military are not limitless. All this reduces the rate of renewal of the material part, which, in combination with other relevant factors, does not contribute to the speedy rearmament and development of landing forces.
Nevertheless, it must be admitted that in recent years the situation has been changing for the better. The construction of new ships and boats of all major classes, including those capable of transporting and disembarking troops. Also, the development of completely new projects is being carried out, on which new ships will be built in the future. Thus, the current state of the Russian Navy amphibious forces can hardly be called ideal, but there are grounds for cautious optimism. With timely and full implementation of various plans, the fleet will be able to maintain the required amphibious potential, and then multiply it. However, this will have to make a lot of effort and spend a lot of time.
On the materials of the sites:
http://mil.ru/
https://ria.ru/
https://tass.ru/
http://tvzvezda.ru/
https://flot.com/
https://flotprom.ru/
http://flot.sevastopol.info/
Information