Posted on 11/06/2014 4:32:30 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Russia and South Korea are expected to shortly sign a contract under which Russia will build several air cushion amphibious assault landing craft Murena-E for South Korea, an informed source from the Russian delegation to INDO Defence 2014 exhibition told TASS on Thursday.
“South Korea already ordered three boats in 2004 and is very satisfied with their operational capabilities, seeking to buy several more that would be upgraded a bit,” he said, adding that India and Turkey are also viewing the purchase of Murena craft.
The source said all modifications have already been added in a new project.
“We expect the contract will be signed shortly. By experience of the first contract that was completed in 2007, the lead ship was built in a year-and-a-half and the others within a year,” the source added.
The trio of South Korea’s Murena craft will soon be repaired with repair work conducted by Russian specialists. It is up to the Korean side to decide where repairs will be made, the source said.
“India also shows interest in similar projects. Besides, negotiations are under way with Turkey,” the source said. He said Murena boats could be landed from Mistral helicopter carriers depending on their design and size.
Hmm
Looks roughly equivalent to our LCACs, but bigger.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Air_Cushion
That’s a serious party barge
There was a James Bond movie where the villain from North Korea had Hovercraft and used them to float over the minefield at the border to invade South Korea.
Coincidence???
I thought they had these (or similar) when Bond/Brosnan was captured.
Putin’s son-in-law happens to be the son of a Korean admiral. Have to wonder if money is changing hands.
I assume it is very lightly armored due to weight concerns.
I read that it can go up an incline of up to 5 degrees. I don't have my protractor handy, but that does not seem like a lot.
Still, I want one very badly.
A five degree egress slope is a pretty standard landing craft parameter.
I should know but I don’t: does South Korea have any well-deck ships to transport these craft?
TC
See the Dokdo class: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dokdo-class_amphibious_assault_ship
There are actually three types of these hovercrafts: small, medium and large. I’ve seen a large one in Kaliningrad, and medium ones up to mid-1990s patrolling on Amur river bordering Russia and China near city of Khabarovsk. They were sitting idle for a few years since late 1990s and then disappeared. From this article it seems like they went to Korea. Greece has big ones too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.