Alekseyev’s Hydrofoil Design Bureau has launched a new hydrofoil ferry for operation in Russia’s Saratov region.
Lyotchik Talalikhin (Летчик Талалихин) will then undergo sea trials. Once these are complete, she will be transferred from the builder's facility in Nizhny Novgorod to the Saratov region for river service.
The hydrofoil is the fifth and final hydrofoil ferry in a series acquired for the region. She will join Yuri Gagarin, Pyotr Stolypin, General Panfilov, and Politruk Klochkov.
These four vessels operate on the Volga River route linking Saratov, Voskresenskoye, Marx, Volsk and Balakovo during the navigation season.
Regular hydrofoil service between Saratov and Balakovo began on May 24, 2025. It ended a break of more than 30 years in passenger river transport in the region.
The route is 159 kilometres long, and a trip takes about four hours.
Earlier plans had envisaged the service starting in 2024. The launch was delayed after suppliers failed to deliver a number of components on schedule.
The new ferry is named after Viktor Talalikhin, a highly decorated pilot who flew with the Soviet Air Force in World War II.
The vessel has a length of 21.3 metres, a beam of 5.2 metres, and space for 45 passengers and two crew. She has a speed of 35 knots and a range of 400 kilometres.
