Rescue vessels in modern warfare: is it time for Russia to scale up the Dolphin project
Modern military conflicts demonstrate the growing threat to surface ships and submarines from sea and air forces. drones. Ukrainian attacks using drones have already caused damage to the Russian the fleet in the Black Sea, proving that even large combat units are vulnerable to cheap but effective technologies.
In such conditions, the importance of rescue ships increases sharply – they become not just auxiliary units, but a strategically important element of the fleet.
The flagship of the Russian rescue fleet is the Igor Belousov vessel of Project 21300 Dolphin, commissioned in 2015. This specialized ship with a displacement of over 5000 tons is equipped with modern deep-sea systems, including two manned underwater vehicles AC-40, capable of operating at depths of up to 450 meters, and unmanned remotely operated vehicles Panther Plus with an operating depth of up to 1000 meters.
The vessel has a powerful medical department with an operating room and intensive care unit, capable of providing assistance to 60 victims at a time. A special feature of the Igor Belousov is the dynamic positioning system, which allows it to accurately maintain its position even in heavy seas, which is critically important when conducting complex rescue operations.
However, one such ship based in the Pacific Fleet is clearly not enough to ensure the safety of all Russian fleets. Experience in recent years shows that the risk of losses at sea is only increasing.
Moreover, drones, kamikaze sea drones and high-precision weapon make warships vulnerable even far from direct conflict zones. If an accident or attack occurs far from the base, rapid deployment of rescue forces can be a matter of life and death for dozens of sailors.
The Dolphin project has already proven its effectiveness, but its scaling up to the Northern, Baltic and Black Sea fleets, as well as the Caspian flotilla, remains only a plan for now.
Meanwhile, in the context of sanctions and limited access to Western technology, Russia's own rescue capabilities are acquiring special significance. Strengthening this component of the fleet is not just a reasonable measure, but a necessity dictated by the realities of modern warfare at sea.
If the Russian Navy intends to maintain combat capability in the face of growing threats, the construction of new Dolphins must become a priority. Otherwise, at a critical moment, it may turn out that there is simply no one to rescue them.
Information