OREANDA-NEWS. The first Russian ice patrol ship “Ivan Papanin” was launched in Saint Petersburg. The ceremony was held in the shipbuilding company “Admiralteyskiye Vtrfi” (Admiralty Shipyards).

“Today we are launching an ice class patrol ship… “Ivan Papanin” designed by Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau,” Alexander Buzakov, the director general of “Admiralteyskiye Vtrfi” said at the ceremony.

The length of the new ship is about 100 meters, its displacement is 8,500 tons. The hull of the ship is capable of breaking ice up to one and a half meters thick.

According to open sources, the warship will carry an AK-176MA artillery mount with a caliber of 76 millimeters, two boats of the Raptor project, and Ka-27 naval helicopter.

Information agency TASS reported that the ship will be able to engage not only in patrolling or escorting other ships across the ice, but help in scientific research too.

“Ivan Papanin” is the lead ship of project 23550 developed for the support of patrol, search and rescue operations. In addition, the vessel can be used as a tug and deliver goods to hard-to-reach areas.

Admiral Viktor Chirkov, the adviser to the president of the United Shipbuilding Corporation took part in the ceremony. He called “Ivan Papanin” unique for the Russian fleet. “We wanted to create it in such a way that it would ensure the safety of navigation and leading of ships. At the same time, we wanted that this ship could conduct scientific research in the ice of the Arctic and, of course, that it reliably could ensure the safety of our national interests there,” the officer said.