Russian Navy’s second Project 23550 patrol icebreaker launched (Gallery)

December 26, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

The second patrol icebreaker of Project 23550, Nikolay Zubov, under construction at the Admiralty Shipyards in Saint Petersburg, was launched on December 25, 2024.

As disclosed, the ceremony was led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Alexander Moiseyev. The keel for the ship was laid down in November 2019 in the presence of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. After the launch, finishing work will begin on the ship.

Credit: Russian Navy

Currently, a series of tests are being completed on the first patrol icebreaker of the Ivan Papanin class, launched in October 2019. Its transfer to the Russian Navy is scheduled for 2025.

Moiseyev noted that “another modern, high-tech combat unit of the Navy is entering the final stage of construction.”

“The ships of this project will form the basis of the surface forces group in the Arctic zone. They will allow the Russian Federation to further strengthen its presence in remote areas of the Far North, demonstrating a firm and unwavering position on protecting our national interests in strategically important areas of the World Ocean.”

“Nikolay Zubov is the second ship for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The first in the series, Ivan Papanin, is currently undergoing trials in the Baltic Sea. By the end of the year, we will complete the weapons testing and then begin ice trials,” Acting General Director of Admiralty Shipyards, Andrey Bystrov, said.

The icebreakers of Project 23550, also known as the Ivan Papanin class, are approximately 114 meters in length and 20 meters in width.

The main performance characteristics of the ships are:

Displacement: Approximately 9,000 tons
Navigation Area: Unlimited
Economical Speed: Around 10 knots
Maximum Speed: Around 18 knots
Cruising Range at Economical Speed: Approximately 10,000 nautical miles
Endurance: About 70 days
Arctic Category: Arc7 (icebreaking capability for severe Arctic conditions)

The ships are equipped with a portable anti-aircraft missile system, an artillery mount, a radar station for monitoring both air and surface situations, and a hydrometeorological station. They will also be capable of permanently basing a shipborne helicopter.

These vessels are designed for a wide range of missions, including safeguarding Arctic water resources, escorting and towing detained ships to port, supporting supply operations, and countering maritime, coastal, and aerial threats. In addition to their icebreaking capabilities, they are equipped with advanced weapon systems to perform both civilian and military tasks in the region.

The construction contract for this project was signed on April 25, 2016.