On May 30, 2025, a solemn ceremony of launching the BDK was held at the Baltic Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad.Vladimir Andreev" of project 11711, built for the Russian Navy. TASS has prepared a story about this type of ship.
The large amphibious assault ships (BDK) of project 11711 are designed for landing, transporting troops, military equipment and equipment. They can also be used as flagships, for evacuation, and to participate in humanitarian missions.
History and features of the project
By the early 2000s, the Russian Navy had approximately 20 large amphibious assault ships of projects 775, which were built in Poland in 1974-1991, and 1171, built in Kaliningrad in 1966-1975. Since the collapse of the USSR, the number of BDK has decreased by about half, and the average age of the remaining exceeded 20 years. Moreover, the oldest of them, Saratov, joined the fleet in 1966. About half of the BDK were under repair or conservation. Polish-built ships had problems with spare parts and repairs. The vast majority of medium and small amphibious assault ships were excluded from the fleet due to their complete wear and tear. The Navy considered the construction of a new generation ship as one of its priorities.
The 11711 project was developed by the Nevsky Design Bureau (Saint Petersburg) in the 1990s - 2000s. It is a development of the 1171 Tapir project. The general designer is Alexander Viglin, the chief designer is Vladimir Suvorov. The ship allows you to solve the issues of transferring significant amounts of military equipment and troops. In February 2018, the head of the Nevsky Design Bureau, Sergey Vlasov, told TASS in an interview that the original terms of reference had been issued for a ship that would sail along rivers and canals. Later, it was redesigned into a naval ship - the height of the superstructure was changed and several other changes were made. Compared to project 1171, it received an expanded tank hold so that the equipment could stand in two rows; part of the living quarters and the medical unit were placed above the upper deck. The requirements, including the nomenclature of weapons and equipment, have changed several times over the course of more than 13 years of construction of the lead ship.
- The ship is designed to transport about 15 tanks or about 35 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, as well as a marine battalion.
- Loading of equipment can be carried out in two ways: by ramp (while the equipment moves by itself) or by means of a deck crane (with a lifting capacity of 16 tons) through a cargo hatch in the upper deck.
- Main power plant: two diesel reverse gear units with diesel engines with a capacity of 5.2 thousand horsepower each produced by JSC Kolomenskoye Zavod (Kolomna, Moscow region).
- Armament: two six-barrel artillery mounts, a twin artillery mount with a radar fire control system.
- It is planned to base Ka-29 ship-based transport and combat helicopters or Ka-27 search and rescue helicopters on the BDK.
In December 2023, a source in the military-industrial complex told TASS that the BDK of the upgraded 11711 project would become carriers of the newest Ka-52M sea-based attack helicopters for fire support of amphibious operations.
Ships of the project
The construction of the ships of Project 11711 is carried out at the facilities of JSC Baltic Shipbuilding Plant Yantar (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) in Kaliningrad. Initially, the state armament program provided for the construction of six ships. In 2015, the media reported that the Navy would reduce the number of planned ships of the project to two. Later, the construction of two more units began according to the modernized project. In comparison with the two previously built ships, the new BDK 11711 project has changed the architecture of the superstructure, increased the area of the helipad, increased the power of the propulsion system, added thrusters and increased the displacement of the ship. Living conditions have also been improved for the personnel, modular cabins have been created.
- The lead ship of the project, the Ivan Gren, was laid down on December 23, 2004, serial number 01301. In 2010, construction was suspended due to lack of money. The launch took place on May 18, 2012. It is named after Vice Admiral Ivan Gren, a scientist in the field of naval artillery. The state tests began in November 2017, and were interrupted from December to April 2018 to resolve the identified problems. The acceptance certificate of the state tests was signed on June 2, 2018. Passed To the Northern Fleet on June 20, 2018.
- The laying of the first serial BDK "Peter Morgunov" (serial number 01302) ru/spb-news/1624146" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">took place on June 11, 2015. It was launched on May 25, 2018. It is named in honor of Lieutenant General of the Coast Guard Pyotr Morgunov, the first recipient of the Order of Nakhimov of the first degree in the USSR. It was built taking into account the technical problems of the lead ship. It underwent factory sea trials from December 2019 to September 2020. Transferred to the Northern Fleet on December 23, 2020.
- The second serial BDK, Vasily Trushin, was laid on April 23, 2019. The name was given in honor of Major General, Hero of the Soviet Union, who showed courage and heroism in battles with Japanese troops in 1945.
- The third serial BDK, Vladimir Andreev, was also launched on April 23, 2019. It is named after the admiral who commanded the amphibious operation to capture South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands in 1945. It was launched on May 30, 2025.
