VESSEL REVIEW | Ivan Papanin – Russian Navy patrol ship with icebreaking capability

Russian state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation's (USC) Admiralty Shipyards has handed over Ivan Papanin, the first in a new class of icebreaking patrol ships ordered by the Russian Navy.

Designed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, the newbuild honours the late Ivan Dmitrievich Papanin, a Soviet Navy admiral and polar explorer. It has a length of 114 metres (374 feet), a beam of 18 metres (59 feet), a draught of six metres (20 feet), a displacement of 8,500 tonnes at full load, and space for 60 crewmembers and up to 50 additional personnel.

The hull has been strengthened in compliance with the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping’s Arc7 ice class notation, which means the vessel is able to break through ice up to 1.7 metres (5.6 feet) thick.

Power is provided by four Kolomna 28-9DG 3,500kW diesel generators. These drive two Ruselprom 6,300kW motors via shaftlines to deliver a maximum speed of 18 knots and a range of 10,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 10 knots. The range enables the vessel to provide icebreaking support for commercial ships for extended periods.

The remaining propulsion machinery includes two Kolomna auxiliary generators and two bow thrusters to provide additional lateral manoeuvrability.

Integrated vehicle-carrying capability

The armament consists of one AK-176MA 76mm naval gun, surface-to-air missiles, and eight Kalibr surface-to-surface missiles. The electronics meanwhile include a radar and hydrometeorological equipment.

The aviation facilities include a flight deck and hangar for use by a Ka-27 helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle. Space is also available for a Project 23321 landing hovercraft, two Project 03160/Raptor-class high-speed boats for at-sea interceptions and boardings, and containerised modules for various missions.

The Project 23550 vessels may also be used for towing, ship escort, and scientific missions.

First in a new patrol ship class

Ivan Papanin is scheduled to be commissioned into Russian Navy service in the coming weeks. Its area of operations will encompass Russian Arctic waters, particularly the Northern Sea Route.

The future Nikolay Zubov, the second Project 23550 vessel, will also be delivered to the navy within this year.