MOSCOW, the Russian Federation (BulgarianMilitary.com) – Today, TASS news agency reported that a decision was taken to be finalized the Project 11711 Ivan Gren-class landing ships developed for the Russian Navy, with the construction of two or three other large amphibious assault ships of the same class. The state-run media refers to a statement made by the chief executive of the Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) Alexei Rakhmanov, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
The CEO of the largest shipbuilding company in Russia states that the project on which the amphibious assault ships are built will be improved in means of changes in the hull of the vessels. Under the improved program, the company plans to construct at least two or even more ships, for which no contract has yet been concluded.
Rakhmanov also says that the second Project 1171 landing ship Pyotr Morgunov, which last month was announced to enter trials no later than March 2019, will be constructed in the same way as the lead ship Ivan Gren.
Earlier, TASS reported that the Ivan Gren-class landing ships series, which are under construction at the Yantar Shipyard, won’t continue, and in their place a new project will be developed for a large displacement ship. This was stated by the chief executive of the Kaliningrad-based shipbuilding company, Yantar Shipyard Eduard Yefimov.
The lead amphibious assault ship of the Project 11711, Ivan Gren was laid down in December and was floated in May 2012. It entered service with the Russian Navy on 20th June 2018. The second warship, the Pyotr Morgunov, which is currently under construction, is expected to start shipbuilders’ sea trials in June next year.
The large amphibious assault ships built under the Project 11711 are developed to transport military hardware and weaponry as well as Marines to a coastal area seized by the enemy. The warships of this class are capable to carry 13 MBTs or 36 IFVs as well as to transport up to 300 Marines or a reinforced marine infantry company with organic military hardware, and land them by using pontoons.