Russia conducts Arctic trials of new Ivan Papanin combat icebreaker to expand control over strategic maritime zones.

As reported by gCaptain on April 22, 2025, Russia’s first Project 23550 icebreaking patrol vessel, Ivan Papanin, is currently undergoing a series of Arctic trials following its arrival at Severomorsk, the main base of the Northern Fleet, on March 31, 2025. This stage marks a progression toward its planned induction into service during the summer. The ship has completed an inter-fleet voyage from Saint Petersburg to the Barents Sea and is now involved in tests specific to Arctic conditions, including performance evaluations in ice-covered waters. Its commissioning would mark the operational entry of the first Russian combat-capable icebreaker of this class, designed to operate year-round in the Northern Sea Route.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Ivan Papanin is designed for a range of Arctic missions, including protection of maritime economic zones, escort of detained vessels, logistical support, participation in search and rescue operations, and transport of specialized cargo. (Picture source: Russian MoD)

The Ivan Papanin is the lead vessel of the Project 23550 program, developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau and constructed by Admiralty Shipyards in Saint Petersburg. The program was launched following a contract signed with the Russian Ministry of Defense on April 25, 2016. The keel for the Ivan Papanin was laid on April 19, 2017, and it was launched on October 25, 2019. Initially scheduled for delivery in 2019, the ship’s construction encountered several delays attributed to industrial constraints and financial issues. Revised timelines set the transfer to the Navy for 2023, though this was again delayed. Factory sea trials began in June 2024, and current expectations set its delivery to the Northern Fleet by mid-2025.

Project 23550 ships have a full displacement of approximately 8,500 to 9,000 tons, an overall length of 114.5 meters, a width of 19.5 meters, and a draft of 6.5 meters. The vessel is certified to the Arc7 ice class by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, enabling it to navigate ice thicknesses up to 1.7 meters. Propulsion is provided through a diesel-electric system composed of four Kolomna 28-9DG diesel generators, each producing 3.5 MW, and two 6.3 MW propulsion motors produced by Ruselprom. The ship uses two shaft lines with fixed-pitch propellers and two bow thrusters, providing a maximum speed of 18 knots and a cruising range of 10,000 nautical miles at an economic speed of 10 knots. The vessel can remain at sea for up to 70 days and is operated by a core crew of 60, with accommodations for an additional 50 personnel.

The vessel’s armament includes an AK-176MA 76.2 mm automatic naval gun. It is equipped with facilities to carry two containerized launchers, each potentially housing four 3M-14 Kalibr land-attack cruise missiles or Kh-35 Uran anti-ship missiles. Air defense is supported by eight portable air defense systems (MANPADS), such as Igla or Verba. Additional onboard systems include four 12.7 mm Kord machine guns and, in the variant designated “Ermak,” two AK-630M 30 mm close-in weapon systems. Aviation facilities include a helipad and hangar suitable for either a Ka-27 or Ka-226 helicopter, and for unmanned aerial vehicles. The ship also houses two Project 03160 Raptor high-speed patrol boats and one Project 23321 Manul-class air-cushion landing craft.

In total, four ships are planned under Project 23550. The second vessel, Nikolay Zubov, also constructed at Admiralty Shipyards, was laid down on November 27, 2019, and launched on December 25, 2024. It is projected to enter service in 2026. Two additional ships, built to a slightly altered “Ermak” configuration, are under construction for the Coast Guard division of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) at the Vyborg Shipyard. These vessels—Purga and Dzerzhinsky—share the same hull and ice capabilities but differ in their weapons loadouts and are classified as border patrol ships. Purga was laid down on July 25, 2020, launched on October 7, 2022, and is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025. Dzerzhinsky was laid down on December 22, 2023, and is scheduled for delivery in 2028.

Project 23550 vessels are designed for a range of Arctic missions, including protection of maritime economic zones, escort of detained vessels, logistical support, participation in search and rescue operations, and transport of specialized cargo. They are capable of operating independently across Arctic waters throughout the year without the assistance of conventional icebreakers. Ships in this class are also fitted with onboard cranes capable of lifting up to 28 tons and a towing winch rated at approximately 80 tons of force. Additionally, they can be equipped with modular containers containing radar, sonar, torpedo systems, or medical and repair facilities. These can be installed and removed using the onboard handling equipment.

While Project 23550 ships are currently unique in their category within the Russian Navy, several NATO Arctic states operate vessels with comparable ice-class capabilities. Norway operates the Svalbard-class, Canada the Harry DeWolf-class, and Denmark is planning new vessels to replace its Thetis-class. The United States, in contrast, currently lacks patrol ships with Arctic ice-class certification. Its heavy icebreakers, Polar Star and Healy, and the upcoming Polar Security Cutter, are substantially larger and serve broader missions under Coast Guard command.

The Ivan Papanin is expected to formally join the Kola Flotilla of the Northern Fleet following the conclusion of its Arctic trials. Its entry into service will represent the first deployment of a vessel designed to combine patrol, logistics, and limited combat capabilities within Arctic conditions. The ship’s integration into the Northern Fleet aligns with Russia’s broader strategic objectives in the Arctic, including the defense of the Northern Sea Route and reinforcement of sovereignty claims across the region’s maritime zones.