There are also plans to build three universal vessels. They will deliver supplies to garrisons in the Far North
MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. The program for the development of the auxiliary fleet of Russia until 2033 provides for the construction of five icebreakers and three universal vessels for the delivery of military cargo to garrisons in the Far North. This was announced on Wednesday at a round table in the Federation Council by Deputy Chief of Staff of Logistics of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Andrey Yefimov.
"In total, the program for the development of the auxiliary fleet of the Russian Federation until 2033 plans to build five icebreakers and three universal transports with a carrying capacity of 6 thousand tons each with an increase in the ice class to a meter. This will significantly increase the ability of the auxiliary fleet to deliver cargo to the regions of the Far North," he said.
In 2022, it is also planned to accept the new icebreaker Evpatiy Kolovrat into the Navy. As previously reported, the vessel is being built according to the modernized "lightweight" 21180M project. Its main difference is the reduced size of the hull and low draft. This series of icebreakers will receive the latest automated control system "Bay-LK-21180".
Yefimov noted that up to half of the cargoes for the needs of garrisons in the Far North, which are delivered by water, pass through the Northern Sea Route. For these purposes, in 2017, two sea vessels were included in the auxiliary fleet of the Russian Navy - the Elbrus with a carrying capacity of up to 2 thousand tons, capable of walking independently in ice conditions up to 80 cm of ice, as well as the diesel-electric icebreaker Ilya Muromets.
"After the cargo is delivered, ships are actively used in the opposite direction," Yefimov added, explaining that they are used, for example, for the removal of scrap metal, which is collected by units of the Ministry of Defense.
