The large amphibious assault ship (BDK) of Project 11711 "Pyotr Morgunov", which entered the Northern Fleet, will be sent to the Arctic routes. It is planned to make it the most important element of providing the military group on the islands and the coast, as well as along the Northern Sea Route. The design of the unique BDK allows it to land marines from the sea and air, unload equipment and cargo directly on the shore. To do this, the ship actually rolls out there and opens special hatches in the nose-ramps. Another task of the newest BDK in the Arctic will be the delivery of fuel and lubricants and food to remote facilities where there are no berths.
The large amphibious assault ship (BDK) of Project 11711 "Pyotr Morgunov", which entered the Northern Fleet, will be sent to the Arctic routes. It is planned to make it the most important element of providing the military group on the islands and the coast, as well as along the Northern Sea Route. The design of the unique BDK allows it to land marines from the sea and air, unload equipment and cargo directly on the shore. To do this, the ship actually rolls out there and opens special hatches in the nose-ramps. Another task of the newest BDK in the Arctic will be the delivery of fuel and lubricants and food to remote facilities where there are no berths.
Along the Northern Sea Route
A fundamental decision was made to make the BDK of Project 11711 " Pyotr Morgunov "the basis of the Arctic grouping of ships of the Northern Fleet, sources in the Ministry of Defense told Izvestia. According to its technical characteristics, the BDK is seriously superior to the old ships of this purpose. With its help, it will be possible to quickly deploy operational units of troops along the entire route of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). For example, to transfer anti-aircraft missile systems, radars or coastal missile systems. And after completing the tasks, quickly pick them up.
Also, according to the interlocutors of the publication, another task of the BDK will be to ensure the functioning of facilities along the NSR. "Pyotr Morgunov" will be able to deliver various cargoes to remote bases and settlements. And if necessary, it will become a base for a rescue operation.
Last week, with the participation of Admiral Alexander Moiseev, a solemn ceremony was held for the acceptance of a combat unit into the Northern Fleet — the Red Banner Kola Flotilla of heterogeneous Forces based in Severomorsk.
According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, the Pyotr Morgunov is even more perfect in a number of characteristics than the lead ship of this project, the Ivan Gren. It has been operating in the northern latitudes for two years and has already proven its reliability and efficiency.
"The new ship will have two main tasks — supplying the Arctic group and conducting amphibious operations," military historian Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia. — And for this, it has a great advantage over previous projects — its own helicopters and a closed hangar for them. With the help of these machines, you can transfer Marines and transport small loads by air. In addition, the Pyotr Morgunov is more spacious and can deliver more soldiers, equipment and materials in one flight.
The Arctic in Demand
The tasks of providing transport supplies to the northern units of the Armed Forces have increased significantly in recent years. Both planes and ships are used to provide them.
On January 1, 2021, the Northern Fleet became an independent military district, along with the Eastern, Western, Central and Southern ones. This demonstrated at the state level an increased interest in the Arctic, which is declared a strategically important macroregion. There are not only huge mineral reserves here, but also an important transport artery — the NSR.
New military and border strongholds have been deployed on large islands along the country's Arctic coast and the Northern Sea Route for several years. Modern facilities have been built that allow for year-round service in comfortable conditions. On Novaya Zemlya and in Yakutia, air defense units equipped with S-300 and S-400 systems were deployed. On the smaller islands, anti-aircraft "Shells" and coastal missile systems "Bal" and "Bastion"are deployed. Along the entire route of the NSR, a chain of radar stations for monitoring the air and sea has been restored.
The network of northern home airfields is also expanding. On Novaya Zemlya, a squadron of MiG-31BM fighter-interceptors has already taken up combat duty. Their aviation group has been deployed since the end of last year in Anadyr on the Chukchi Peninsula. Since 2017, flights to the forward bases of strategic bombers have resumed.
Large amphibious replenishment
The new ship became the second representative of the BDK type "Ivan Gren" for the Navy. The construction of the first of them was delayed from 2004 to 2018. The fate of "Peter Morgunov" was more successful. It was put into operation five years after it was laid. The Navy flag was raised over it on December 23 last year.
This BDK exceeds the size of the most common large amphibious ships of the project 775 in the fleet. It can take on board up to 300 marines, 13 tanks or 36 armored personnel carriers. The front ramp allows you to land them on an unprepared shore, even in conditions of strong sea waves.
- "Pyotr Morgunov "in comparison with the head" Ivan Gren " has been upgraded, - said Dmitry Boltenkov. — But the next two ships of Project 11711, which are being built in Kaliningrad, have been changed even more radically. They are further increased in size, carry more helicopters and now look more like landing ships-docks. Apparently, they will be sent to the Far East. BDK is also very popular there.
Large amphibious ships of the Pacific and Northern Fleets are often used to transport cargo for the benefit of garrisons on islands and remote coasts. Their technical characteristics allow you to deliver any cargo cheaper than by air. At the same time, they can be unloaded not only in the port, but also on the unequipped coast.
For more than six years, the "Syrian Express" has been actively operating. Amphibious and transport ships of the Navy continuously supply the Russian military group in the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as the government army.
BDK was also used for its intended purpose. During the fighting in August 2008, three ships of the Black Sea Fleet landed battalion tactical groups of the Airborne Forces on the coast of Abkhazia. The operation was a surprise for the Georgian command, which could not oppose them in this direction, and in the end it helped to persuade the Georgian side to sign a plan for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Last year, the construction of two universal landing ships of a new type began at the Crimean shipyard "Bay". In terms of displacement, they are eight times larger than the BDK project 11711. Its own squadron of helicopters will provide transportation of marines to the shore and cover them with fire.
