Another Eight Ships, Two Subs to Reinforce Russian Navy in 2015

Source : http://sputniknews.com

Eight ships and two subs will join the ranks of the Russian Navy by 2016 meaning that the arms procurement plan is running smoothly.

The Russian Navy will receive eight warships and two submarines by the end of 2015 in accordance with the state arms procurement plan, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.

The two diesel-electric subs will join the ranks of the Black Sea Fleet. Among the eight ships, the minister mentioned the corvette Sovershenny (Perfect) and the first frigate Admiral Gorshkov.

Corvette Sovershenny, which floated out on May 22, is the first ship to join the Russian Pacific Fleet in the 21st century. It is a multirole guard vessel designed to combat an enemy's ships and submarines, as well as support marines with artillery.

The ship is armed with a complex of anti-ship missiles Uran (NATO name "Switchblade"), an air defense system Redoubt, three artillery cannons, eight torpedoes, and pads for machineguns and grenade launchers, and can carry one Ka-27 helicopter.

Frigate Admiral Gorshkov was launched in 2010. It will enter the service in the Northern Fleet. The frigate is armed with an A-192 130mm naval gun, launch units for 16 Oniks and Kalibr anti-ship missiles, an air defense system Redoubt, two close-in Palash weapon systems, as well as anti-ship missiles, and has a helipad for a Ka-27.

Minister Shoigu said that 10 motor boats already joined the Russian Navy in 2015.

He added that 45 facilities will be built for the Russian Navy.

Back to Business: Land, Water, Marsh - No Obstacle for Russian Hovercraft

Source : http://sputniknews.com

The Russian Navy is planning to resume the production of two types of air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC), now equipped with new weaponry and engines.

"We are ready to submit a project of a new LCAC: we have already designed its armament and power systems," the head of the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau told RIA Novosti.

The two projects, 12322 Zubr (NATO name "Pomornik") and 12061 Murena (NATO name "Tsaplya"), were equipped with Ukrainian engines. Now, the CEO said, Russia can substitute them with its own motor systems.

Hovercraft are capable of moving on ground, marsh and water, evade ditches, trenches and minefields, and insert a force into the area deep in the enemy's defense.

The Zubr air-cushion landing ships are the largest in the world. A Zubr can transport three battle tanks, or 10 APCs, and up to 500 troops. The armored vehicle is equipped with two artillery guns, MANPADs, close-in weapon systems, rockets and missiles, and it can lay mines. It has protection from weapons of mass destruction.

The Murena air-cushion landing craft can deliver two APCs or one medium-size tank, or 130 troops. It is armed with the Igla MANPADs, close-in weapon systems and mines.