OREANDA-NEWS. May 21, 2012. The Baltic Shipyard Yantar (part of United Shipbuilding Corporation, USC) held on May 18, an official launching ceremony for the BDK Ivan Gren, the lead vessel of Project 11711 amphibious warfare ships ordered by the Defense Ministry for the Russian Navy, the shipbuilding company said. The warship is scheduled for delivery in 2013.

The evolution of old Project 1171, the new Project 11711 was designed by Nevskoye Design Bureau. In the 60s-70s The shipyard built 14 ships of 1171 project ‘Tapir’ class (LST, NATO reporting name: Alligator). The ship was laid down in December 2004, but the construction proceeded at a slow pace due to poor funding and staff shortages. The active phase of construction began in 2008.

The 5000-6000t large landing ship (in Russian classification, BDK) was designed for carrying vehicles, equipment, and landing troops directly onto shore and is capable of carrying 13 T-90S main battle tanks, or 36 armored personnel carriers (APCs), or 300 troops at ranges of 3,500 nm.

Kaliningrad-based Baltic Shipbuilding Plant “Yantar” (Amber) was founded on July 8,1945 on the basis of a Koenigsberg unit of German’s Schichau Werft. Yantar Shipyard specializes in building and repairs of warships and civil boats. Throughout the years the Shipyard has built 154 warships and more than 500 merchant vessels. The Russian Government holds majority stake in the shipbuilding firm through Western Center of Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation.