Russia itself builds helicopter carriers: on the characteristics and prospects of domestic UDC
After an unsuccessful attempt to equip the fleet with universal amphibious assault ships through the acquisition of a Mistral-class UDC in France, the Russian Defense Ministry on May 23, 2020 signed a contract for the construction of two similar ships of Russian design with the Kerch shipyard Zaliv.
These will be Project 23900 universal landing ships of the Ivan Rogov type. The first two ships of the series "Ivan Rogov" and "Mitrofan Moskalenko" were laid down on July 20, 2020. All components of the ship will be domestic. When designing the ship, the world experience of amphibious operations was taken into account, which showed that there is a need to have staff ships that would coordinate the entire course of the amphibious operation.
In addition, difficulties arise during the landing of troops from helicopters and from landing craft. We need high-speed ships, and they are provided on board the ships under construction. In addition, the need for fire support for the landing force, the presence of a strong UDC air defense system and escort ships were taken into account. The Soviet experience of operating helicopter carriers of the "Moscow" type has not been forgotten in terms of their use in the variant of PLO ships, the firepower of the helicopter wing and the small landing capacity. Russian UDCs have serious opportunities in this regard. They can take on board up to 1000 marines, about 75 units of military equipment. On board there will be up to 16 [12] Ka-29 landing helicopters, Ka-52K attack helicopters, Ka-27, Ka-31 anti-submarine helicopters. And plus a few UAVs.
The dock chamber of the ship will accommodate up to 4 high-speed, up to 30 knots, air-cushion landing boats of Project 11770 Serna, with a carrying capacity of up to 45 tons or Project 02510.
The ships of this project are designed to perform a wide range of tasks: to land the forces and means of the assault and to control a group, formation and unification of ships or dissimilar forces, as well as to be a command and staff ship as part of a ship or aircraft carrier strike group of the Russian Navy. In addition, the UDC is an irreplaceable sea transport and a means of patrolling the far ocean zone. This is a modern ship for the needs of the Russian marines, capable of providing a long-term presence of military contingents in remote areas without bases, providing aviation support. In addition, due to the powerful air defense system, the UDC can be a short-range air defense ship of a small ship formation. The use of helicopters will allow performing anti-submarine missions. It is envisaged to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Ka-52K helicopter, based on the UDC, to destroy enemy ships through the use of the Kh-31A and Kh-35U anti-ship missiles. Additionally, if equipped with an onboard radar with an active phased array "Zhuk-AE", the helicopter will be capable of hitting air targets within a radius of up to 80 km using the unified air-to-air missile R-77 (RVV-AE). There are no analogues to such helicopter-based naval strike systems in the world.
It is planned to make the UDC of the "Ivan Rogov" type truly universal, capable of independently solving all the above tasks. In general, unlike the Americans, we cannot afford to have specialized ships. We strive to make any ship as versatile as possible, which does not always give the expected effect. For the sake of one task, you have to sacrifice another. As a result, both are not resolved properly.
Enhanced armament, greater autonomy - 60 days and cruising range - 6000 nautical miles will allow the use of UDC with a smaller number of surface escort ships.
New UDC of Russia will increase expeditionary capabilities fleet... The need for this has increased due to the fact that the Syrian campaign continues, and the bases in the SAR are planned to be operated for a long time. The issue of supplying a group of troops there with everything necessary is all the more relevant since in the event of a (hypothetical) ban on passage through the Bosphorus, it will be necessary to supply supplies along a significantly longer route.
There is no exact decision on the ship base locations yet. It is planned to use them in the Pacific and Black Sea fleets. Although, if, as on Mistrals for Russia, the composition of steel alloys for ship hulls is actually changed to ice class, this will allow them to be used in northern latitudes in difficult ice conditions. Apparently, there are plans for their deployment in the North.
It is believed that two ships of this class are not enough. But one must take into account both financial capabilities and the fact that Russia does not have overseas territories, and does not plan aggressive wars with the landing of large landings. And, despite the impressive armament, escort from several ships is required to escort the UDC. There is no possibility to provide an escort. And without air cover in the open ocean, far from its native shore, such a ship is doomed.
So for today, let the sailors forgive me, I see this UDC as just a well-armed "barge" that in peacetime allows you to display the flag, make friendly visits and receive guests on board, conduct operations against a deliberately weak enemy, be a command ship and control point, perform the function of a transport vessel, supply vessel, evacuation vehicle in case of emergencies, and a floating hospital. Also, of course, not bad. But using such special ships to protect offshore gas fields and fight terrorists and sea pirates, as Egypt intends to do with its Mistrals, is hardly advisable. This experience is not suitable for us. There are other classes of ships for this. Plus this is a very expensive "event".
These will be Project 23900 universal landing ships of the Ivan Rogov type. The first two ships of the series "Ivan Rogov" and "Mitrofan Moskalenko" were laid down on July 20, 2020. All components of the ship will be domestic. When designing the ship, the world experience of amphibious operations was taken into account, which showed that there is a need to have staff ships that would coordinate the entire course of the amphibious operation.
In addition, difficulties arise during the landing of troops from helicopters and from landing craft. We need high-speed ships, and they are provided on board the ships under construction. In addition, the need for fire support for the landing force, the presence of a strong UDC air defense system and escort ships were taken into account. The Soviet experience of operating helicopter carriers of the "Moscow" type has not been forgotten in terms of their use in the variant of PLO ships, the firepower of the helicopter wing and the small landing capacity. Russian UDCs have serious opportunities in this regard. They can take on board up to 1000 marines, about 75 units of military equipment. On board there will be up to 16 [12] Ka-29 landing helicopters, Ka-52K attack helicopters, Ka-27, Ka-31 anti-submarine helicopters. And plus a few UAVs.
The dock chamber of the ship will accommodate up to 4 high-speed, up to 30 knots, air-cushion landing boats of Project 11770 Serna, with a carrying capacity of up to 45 tons or Project 02510.
The ships of this project are designed to perform a wide range of tasks: to land the forces and means of the assault and to control a group, formation and unification of ships or dissimilar forces, as well as to be a command and staff ship as part of a ship or aircraft carrier strike group of the Russian Navy. In addition, the UDC is an irreplaceable sea transport and a means of patrolling the far ocean zone. This is a modern ship for the needs of the Russian marines, capable of providing a long-term presence of military contingents in remote areas without bases, providing aviation support. In addition, due to the powerful air defense system, the UDC can be a short-range air defense ship of a small ship formation. The use of helicopters will allow performing anti-submarine missions. It is envisaged to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Ka-52K helicopter, based on the UDC, to destroy enemy ships through the use of the Kh-31A and Kh-35U anti-ship missiles. Additionally, if equipped with an onboard radar with an active phased array "Zhuk-AE", the helicopter will be capable of hitting air targets within a radius of up to 80 km using the unified air-to-air missile R-77 (RVV-AE). There are no analogues to such helicopter-based naval strike systems in the world.
It is planned to make the UDC of the "Ivan Rogov" type truly universal, capable of independently solving all the above tasks. In general, unlike the Americans, we cannot afford to have specialized ships. We strive to make any ship as versatile as possible, which does not always give the expected effect. For the sake of one task, you have to sacrifice another. As a result, both are not resolved properly.
Enhanced armament, greater autonomy - 60 days and cruising range - 6000 nautical miles will allow the use of UDC with a smaller number of surface escort ships.
New UDC of Russia will increase expeditionary capabilities fleet... The need for this has increased due to the fact that the Syrian campaign continues, and the bases in the SAR are planned to be operated for a long time. The issue of supplying a group of troops there with everything necessary is all the more relevant since in the event of a (hypothetical) ban on passage through the Bosphorus, it will be necessary to supply supplies along a significantly longer route.
There is no exact decision on the ship base locations yet. It is planned to use them in the Pacific and Black Sea fleets. Although, if, as on Mistrals for Russia, the composition of steel alloys for ship hulls is actually changed to ice class, this will allow them to be used in northern latitudes in difficult ice conditions. Apparently, there are plans for their deployment in the North.
It is believed that two ships of this class are not enough. But one must take into account both financial capabilities and the fact that Russia does not have overseas territories, and does not plan aggressive wars with the landing of large landings. And, despite the impressive armament, escort from several ships is required to escort the UDC. There is no possibility to provide an escort. And without air cover in the open ocean, far from its native shore, such a ship is doomed.
So for today, let the sailors forgive me, I see this UDC as just a well-armed "barge" that in peacetime allows you to display the flag, make friendly visits and receive guests on board, conduct operations against a deliberately weak enemy, be a command ship and control point, perform the function of a transport vessel, supply vessel, evacuation vehicle in case of emergencies, and a floating hospital. Also, of course, not bad. But using such special ships to protect offshore gas fields and fight terrorists and sea pirates, as Egypt intends to do with its Mistrals, is hardly advisable. This experience is not suitable for us. There are other classes of ships for this. Plus this is a very expensive "event".
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