Russian Navy's new Ivan Papanin Project 23550 combat icebreaker begins sea trials with Kalibr missiles.

On June 28, 2024, the Russian combat icebreaker "Ivan Papanin," with factory number 02460, departed from St. Petersburg to commence its sea trials. Constructed by JSC Admiralty Shipyards, part of the JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation, the "Ivan Papanin" was built for the Russian Navy and integrates the functionalities of a tugboat, patrol ship, and icebreaker. These sea trials mark a significant step for the lead multifunctional ice-class patrol ship of Project 23550, also referred to by its code name "Arktika," which will be armed with Kalibr missiles when in active service.
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Constructed by JSC Admiralty Shipyards, part of the JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation, the "Ivan Papanin" was built for the Russian Navy and integrates the functionalities of a tugboat, patrol ship, and icebreaker. (Picture source: Russian social media)

The Project 23550 ship is designed for various missions, including protecting Arctic water resources, escorting and towing detained ships to port, supporting supply vessels, and targeting sea, coastal, and air threats. The ship measures 114.5 meters in length and 19.5 meters in width and can navigate through ice approximately 1.7 meters thick, classified under the Arc7 Arctic category. With a displacement of about 9,000 tons, the vessel features four 28-9DG diesel engines coupled with two electric motors, providing a total of 6,300 kW (8,600 hp) per propeller, an economic speed of about 10 knots, and a full speed of 18 knots. Its cruising range at economic speed is about 10,000 miles, and it has an autonomy of approximately 70 days.

The "Ivan Papanin" can house two high-speed patrol boats of Project 03160 Raptor, designed for pursuing and detaining maritime boundary violators and conducting boarding actions. The ship also includes a deck hangar capable of accommodating a Ka-27 or Ka-226 helicopter and a UAV. Additionally, it features a Project 23321 Manul air-cushion landing craft. Armament for the vessel includes eight MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems) launchers, either an Igla or a Verba system, two missile launchers (each containing four Kalibr cruise missiles or Kh-35 anti-ship missiles), and an AK-176MA automatic artillery mount. It is equipped with a radar station for monitoring air and surface situations and a hydrometeorological station.

The contract for constructing the two Project 23550 patrol ships was signed by the Russian Ministry of Defense with JSC Admiralty Shipyards on April 25, 2016. Construction of the lead ship began in September 2016, with the official keel-laying ceremony on April 19, 2017. The ship was launched on October 25, 2019. The second ship of the project, "Nikolai Zubov," with serial number 02461, was laid down on November 27, 2019.

Originally, the delivery dates for both ships of the Project 23550 class were set for the end of 2019 and the end of 2020, respectively. However, construction extended beyond these deadlines due to financial constraints. (Picture source: Russian social media)

Originally, the delivery dates for both ships were set for the end of 2019 and the end of 2020, respectively. However, construction extended beyond these deadlines due to financial constraints. In 2018 and 2019, Alexander Buzakov, then General Director of Admiralty Shipyards JSC, reported that the lead ice-class patrol ship "Ivan Papanin" would be delivered to the Russian Navy only in 2023 under revised contract terms. Consequently, the ship has only now entered testing.

In 2019, two ice-class first-rank border patrol ships were ordered for the Coast Guard of the Border Service of the FSB of Russia under Project 23550, code-named "Ermak," a modified version of Project 23550. The construction of these ships is underway at PJSC Vyborg Shipyard. The lead ship "Purga," with serial number 235, was laid down on July 25, 2020, and launched on October 7, 2022. The second ship, "Dzerzhinsky," with serial number 238, was laid down on December 22, 2023.

The "Ivan Papanin" began undergoing factory sea trials, which will transition into state trials. Although the exact timing for the state tests has not been announced, it is expected that the ship will join the Kola Flotilla of the Northern Fleet's heterogeneous forces later this year.

The "Ivan Papanin" can house two high-speed patrol boats of Project 03160 Raptor, designed for pursuing and detaining maritime boundary violators and conducting boarding actions. The ship also includes a deck hangar capable of accommodating a Ka-27 or Ka-226 helicopter and a UAV. (Picture source: Paluba Media)