The Rubin Design Bureau has developed the first Russian export-oriented submerged patrol ship, the Sentinel. It can be used as a guard ship, as well as as a rescue or research vessel. The ship will be exported under the BOSS brand.
Multifunctionality is a key characteristic of modern Russian weapons for export. The new development "Sentinel" combines the capabilities of a surface ship and a submarine. The ship can covertly observe intruders from under the water. Bad weather is not a hindrance for him either. As a submarine, the ship, for example, can be used to study the shelf and to perform other tasks, [...] the press service of the developer company, KB "Rubin"reports.
The first modification of this vessel is intended for foreign customers. Deliveries will be made under the designation BOSS (Border and Offshore Submersible Sentry), which means "border and offshore underwater patrol ship". The developers focused on successful serial samples that showed themselves from the commercial side.
The idea of a hybrid vessel that can perform tasks both underwater and on the surface is not new. The Sentinel resembles the submarines of the Soviet project 613. This was the most massive series of the Soviet submarine fleet, which was bought by foreign countries. In the middle of the last century, the USSR also developed a submersible rocket ship (project 1231). It was supposed to combine the stealth of a submarine and the firepower of a surface warship. But the project was never implemented, [...] RT reminds.
The declared displacement of the "Guardian" is about 1000 tons. Length-up to 70 meters, crew - up to 42 people. The ship is equipped with inspection boats and a drone. At the request of the customer, the ship can be equipped with torpedoes, artillery and guided missiles.
The developers clarified that the "Guardian", aka BOSS, first of all, will not be interesting to the richest countries. This means that its price will be affordable, which will allow this weapon to gain a foothold in foreign markets.
Military analysts, however, point out that not so much is known about the project so far that it is possible to talk about its prospects. But vessels of this class may well be useful to the Russian Navy.
By Kirill Grishin, Radio Sputnik
