Exclusive: Russian Navy to Strengthen Arctic Naval Capabilities with New Husky-10 Hovercraft Featuring 10-Ton Payload.

On April 21, 2025, Russia's state defense conglomerate Rostec officially announced that the new-generation air cushion vessel "Husky-10," developed by the Kalashnikov Group and built by Rybinsk Shipyard LLC, is ready for serial production. Designed for year-round operation in harsh northern conditions, the Husky-10 marks a significant advancement in Russia’s Arctic maritime capabilities. It is specifically engineered to support logistics and mobility in the extreme climates of the Far North, capable of carrying up to 10 tons of cargo at speeds reaching 40 knots, even in temperatures as low as -50°C.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The newly developed Husky-10 air cushion vessel, designed by Kalashnikov Group and built by Rybinsk Shipyard, showcases its Arctic-ready design and 10-ton payload capacity—engineered for high-speed operations across ice, water, and rugged coastal terrain in extreme conditions down to -50°C. (Picture source: Kalashnikov Group)

An air cushion vessel, commonly known as a hovercraft, is a highly versatile amphibious vehicle that rides on a cushion of pressurized air contained within a flexible skirt beneath its hull. This unique technology allows it to traverse a wide variety of surfaces—land, water, ice, and even marshland—without the friction that traditional boats or land vehicles encounter. Air cushion vessels are particularly valuable in regions where infrastructure is sparse or where seasonal ice and shallow waters complicate navigation. Unlike conventional ships, they can seamlessly transition from sea to shore, making them ideal for logistical operations in remote or undeveloped coastal areas.

The Husky-10, also referred to as Khaska-10, was first unveiled at the Army-2020 International Military and Technical Forum, where it was introduced as a civilian hovercraft with military-grade engineering potential. Its robust specifications underline its operational flexibility: a length of 20.8 meters, beam of 12.5 meters, and an overall height of 7.4 meters, with a total displacement of 45 tonnes. Powered by two engines producing 1,500 horsepower each, it can achieve a maximum speed of 40 knots and boasts an operational range of 645 kilometers (400 nautical miles). With a minimal crew requirement of just three personnel and an endurance of three days, it is tailored for extended missions in isolated environments.

A notable feature of the Husky-10 is its use of flexible skegs—a design innovation that significantly enhances maneuverability and control compared to conventional hovercrafts. These structural elements improve steering responsiveness while maintaining the hovercraft’s amphibious and seaworthy attributes, which are crucial for navigating the unpredictable conditions of the Arctic. The ability to land and launch from unprepared surfaces gives it tactical versatility that is particularly attractive for military logistics, search and rescue missions, and even amphibious troop deployments.

The Husky-10 was developed as part of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade’s long-term program, “Development of Shipbuilding and Equipment for the Exploration of Offshore Fields (2013–2030).” While initially introduced as a civilian platform, its operational profile and robust capabilities have made it a strong candidate for military adoption, especially in support of Russia’s strategic interests in the Arctic. The vessel is expected to be capable of transporting light armored vehicles such as the GAZ Tigr or other logistics payloads directly from ship to shore or across frozen expanses—roles traditionally reserved for heavy airlift or tracked vehicles.

Its introduction aligns with a broader trend in the Russian military and political strategy aimed at asserting presence in the Arctic—a region gaining increasing geopolitical relevance due to melting sea ice and emerging shipping lanes. As global interest in the Arctic intensifies, the Husky-10 represents not only a technical innovation but a clear statement of Russia’s intent to secure mobility and logistical dominance in this contested theater. Its performance, versatility, and ability to operate independently in inaccessible regions make it an indispensable asset in Russia’s Arctic toolkit.

With serial production on the horizon, the Husky-10 is poised to play a critical role in Russia’s maritime and defense strategy. Whether deployed for civilian transport, search and rescue, or military logistics, its development reflects a growing emphasis on mobility, autonomy, and operational flexibility in extreme environments—key qualities that define next-generation defense platforms.

In addition to its logistical advantages, air cushion vessels like the Husky-10 have demonstrated considerable utility in a variety of combat scenarios, particularly where conventional maritime or land vehicles face mobility constraints. In amphibious assault operations, hovercrafts can swiftly deploy troops, equipment, and light armored vehicles directly onto unprepared shores, bypassing traditional port infrastructure. This capability is crucial during rapid-response missions or when executing surprise landings on hostile or undeveloped coastlines. Their high speed and amphibious nature make them valuable in littoral combat zones, riverine warfare, and coastal interdiction missions. Moreover, hovercrafts can serve as effective platforms for search and rescue, medevac, and special operations in conflict zones, especially in environments characterized by swamps, ice, or shallow waters.

In Russian military practice, the use of air cushion vessels is not new. The most iconic example is the Zubr-class (Project 1232.2) landing craft—the world’s largest military hovercraft—used by the Russian Navy for amphibious assaults. The Zubr is capable of transporting three main battle tanks or up to 500 troops, underscoring the strategic value Moscow places on hovercrafts in power projection and coastal operations. Another example is the smaller Aist-class hovercraft (Project 12321), which was actively used for troop and cargo transport across remote coastal areas. These vessels have been part of Russia's Baltic and Black Sea Fleets and have taken part in numerous military exercises and patrol missions.

The Husky-10, while smaller and less heavily armed than its predecessors, fits into this established operational doctrine with a modern twist—offering greater fuel efficiency, a smaller logistical footprint, and enhanced maneuverability through its innovative flexible skeg design. Unlike the Zubr, which is designed for full-scale amphibious assaults, the Husky-10 is optimized for Arctic and northern operations, where agility, reliability, and cold-weather resilience are prioritized. This evolution reflects a shift in Russian maritime strategy, focusing not only on brute force deployment but also on sustainable, multi-role mobility in the increasingly contested Arctic region.