Project 23550 Ice-class Patrol Ships to Significantly Strengthen Arctic Capabilities

The two Project 23550 ice-class patrol boats ordered last week by Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) will significantly increase the Arctic capabilities of the national Navy, according to Russian defense analysts.

Project 23550 combines the qualities of patrol boat, ice-breaker and tug, being a multi-purpose ship. As the MoD`s official spokeperson pointed out, the Project 23550 vessels "have no analogues in the world". The boat can break ice 1.5 m thick. The MoD does not disclose the specifications of Project 23550 ship.

But based on the official illustration released by the Russian MoD, the class will be armed with medium-caliber naval gun on the foredeck (reportedly, 100mm A-190-01 or 57mm A-220M developed by Burevestnik scientific-research institute) and two containerized missile launch system (probably, Kalibr-NK (NATO reporting name: SS-N-27 Sizzler) anti-ship/land-attack subsonic cruise missiles) and one Ka-27PS anti-submarine or Ka-27PL search-and-rescue helicopter.

"Don`t be confused by their designation and classification. Both Project 23550 so-called "patrol boats" are well armed. Their armament set does not come short of many corvettes," a source in Russian defense industry pointed out.

It should be noted that Russia is making significant efforts to beef up its Arctic capabilities. In Autumn 2015, Russian defense industry laid down the first Project 03182 multirole patrol/support ship. Russian shipbuilding industry is also constructing Project 20180 logistics ships, Project 1900 diesel-electric ice-breakers, and Project 22600 and Project 22220 nuclear-powered ice-breakers. The aforementioned ships will bolster Russia`s activity in the Arctic Region, according to the analysts.

Project 23550 ice-class patrol ship fitted with 100mm main gun and Kalibr cruise missile launchers will be closer to a corvette rather a mere patrol vessel. Image: Russian Defense Ministry

Uh, why do they need ice ships since it’s all supposed to gone by now. :)

2 posted on 05/10/2016 6:28:17 AM PDT by rktman (Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)

5 year plan. Ice gone in 5 years. Ice back in 5 years...

3 posted on 05/10/2016 6:42:35 AM PDT by null and void ("when authority began inspiring contempt, it had stopped being authority" ~ H. Beam Piper)

And as usual the USN has nothing to counter except the LCS (little crappy ships).

4 posted on 05/10/2016 7:09:20 AM PDT by batterycommander (Keep calm and call for artillery.)

“”Manned” by the Village People tranny Navy.

5 posted on 05/10/2016 7:18:05 AM PDT by batterycommander (Keep calm and call for artillery.)

Still, it’s a ‘sore thumb’ target, a relatively hot ship on ice cold water.

It would stand out like a beacon on a FLIR.

6 posted on 05/10/2016 7:19:26 AM PDT by null and void ("when authority began inspiring contempt, it had stopped being authority" ~ H. Beam Piper)

I agree. IR homing on ice, with mid course guidance, and I don’t see much air defense on that ‘corvette’, heck it makes the Littoral Combat ships look heavily armed... It is not a threat. Even the Canadian airforce could take care of both of them at the same time (which is saying a LOT)

7 posted on 05/10/2016 10:20:34 AM PDT by Wildbill22 (They have us surrounded again, the poor bastards- Gen Creighton Williams Abrams)

That is a nice graphic, but without the rust it is not convincing.

8 posted on 05/10/2016 11:28:46 AM PDT by T-Bone Texan (Don't be a lone wolf. Form up small leaderlesss cells ASAP !)

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.