Russian Navy Launches Amphibious Landing Vessel RFS Vladimir Andreyev
The Russian Navy launched the amphibious landing ship Vladimir Andreyev at the Yantar Shipyard in the Kaliningrad Region at the end of May. The ceremony was attended by Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev and shipyard officials. Vladimir Andreyev is the latest unit of the Project 11711 “Ivan Gren” class and will be assigned to Russia’s Pacific Fleet to replace older Ropucha and Tapir-class landing ships. It is the third of up to 11 improved Ivan Gren-class vessels planned that reflect the country’s drive to modernize its sea-based amphibious force.
Vladimir Andreyev is a significantly enlarged and upgraded variant of the Ivan Gren design. Reports describe it as about 40% larger than its predecessors, with displacement rising from roughly 6,600 tons to about 8,000 tons (around 9,500 tons full load). The new configuration doubles the vehicle-carrying decks, allowing for approximately 26 main battle tanks. Its hangar and flight deck accommodate up to four Kamov helicopters, typically the Ka-29 transport or Ka-52K “Katran” attack helicopter, with two helicopters operating simultaneously on deck.
Propulsion comes from four 6,000 hp 16D49 diesel engines, which give the 160-meter ship a top speed of about 18 knots and a range of around 3,500 nautical miles. Endurance is roughly 30 days at sea, with a crew of about 100 sailors and space to carry roughly 300–400 marines. The ship also carries three small motorboats and can embark up to six Serna-class landing craft to ferry troops and vehicles ashore. It is armed with a 76 mm AK-176MA naval gun as its primary artillery system, a new addition not fitted on the earlier Ivan Gren ships, supplemented by multiple 30 mm automatic rotary cannons (including an AK-630M-2 “Duet” CIWS and two single-barrel AK-630M mounts) and several 14.5 mm heavy machine guns for close-in protection. All weapon systems are coordinated by the Laska radar fire-control suite, and the ship has countermeasure launchers for missile defense.
The ship is named after WWII Pacific Fleet Admiral Vladimir Andreyev and will undergo final outfitting and trials over the next year. It is expected to enter service around 2026 with the Pacific Fleet, greatly increasing the fleet’s capacity to deploy a naval infantry battalion with heavy armor and helicopters. This new Ivan Gren–class landing ship combines a large carrying capacity, improved sea-keeping, and modern weaponry to support Russia’s amphibious operations from the high seas to the shore.