Even 13 Years After SSN Kursk Wreck Russia Won’t Have Submarine Rescue System, Experts Say

According to numerous experts, a deep-sea diving system for submarine life-saving operations will not be ready in 2014. Initially, Igor Belousov rescue ship was supposed to take the sea in 2010, but the deadline was postponed to 2014, and still looks like overcommitment.

Being equipped with deep-sea diving system, Igor Belousov is expected to replace obsolete and overaged rescue equipment operated by Russian Navy. Take note that Russia had to accept foreign assistance during salvage operations on SSN Kursk perished in Aug 2000. Attempts to reach the sub’s stern section in Oct 2000 became successful only with help of Norwegian divers.

Project design of a special ship capable to detect a damaged submarine and rescue crew was finished in 2005. The ship named Igor Belousov was laid down at Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard in Dec 2005 with estimated delivery in 2010. Being in charge of development and production of diving system for the new ship, the Lazurit Design Bureau (Nizhniy Novgorod) had failed to complete works in full by the scheduled time. Currently, the system is only 70% completed.

Late in 2011, Russian Defense Ministry declined to execute its contract part and selected a new supplier – company grouping Tetis Pro well known at Russian market of diving, rescuing and security equipment. Nevertheless, experts have some doubts regarding supplier selection criteria, reasons for bated performance requirements, and actually available “off-the-shelf” system.

Mainly, doubts are related to declared deadline of the ship’s launching which is supposed to be held in 2014. Use of new rescue system needs serious alterations to the almost completed ship.

History of the system’s development and current state of things is described in the article “No Rescue” published by Central Navy Portal.

General characteristics of Project 22020 rescue ship:

Length (on designed waterline), meters: 97.8
Beam (on designed waterline), meters: 17.2
Amidships depth, meters: 10.6
Displacement, tons: 50.37
Full speed, knots: 15

Seaworthiness, Beaufort force:
– idle navigation: unlimited
– lowering/lifting of deep-sea rescue vehicle: 3-4
– lowering/lifting of diving bell: 5

Cruising range at total fuel capacity, nautical miles: 3,500

Life-support endurance, days:
– for crew: 30
– for rescued people: 10

Crew, men: 96
Accommodation capacity, men: 120 (including 60 in pressure chambers)

Navigation equipment: automated navigation system, navigation underwater sound system, hydrometeorological facilities

Hydroacoustic equipment: search sonar, underwater communication sonar, navigation sonar, hydrology measuring facilities

Optoelectronic detection equipment: multifunctional optoelectronic and television syste.

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Naval Today Staff , March 05, 2012; Image: admship