Russia Launches Its Second Combat Icebreaker To Boost Its Arctic Presence

Russia has launched its second combat icebreaker, the Nikolay Zubov, at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg. This new vessel is set to strengthen the Russian Navy’s presence in the Arctic, particularly in the Northern Fleet’s Kola Division.

Upon commissioning, it will join the fleet alongside its sister ship, the Ivan Papanin, which is still undergoing testing and is expected to enter service in 2025.

The Nikolay Zubov is a Project 23550 ice-class patrol ship, designed to break through thick Arctic ice of up to 1.7 meters.

The icebreaker is approximately 114 meters long, and 20 meters wide, and displaces around 8,500 tons. It can operate for about 70 days at sea, with a cruising range of 10,000 nautical miles.

The ship is armed with a 76.2 mm naval gun and has space to carry Kalibr-type cruise missiles or Kh-35 anti-ship missiles. It also carries a multi-purpose helicopter for various operational tasks.

The Nikolay Zubov is named after Rear Admiral Nikolai Zubov, a notable figure in Soviet oceanography. This ship, along with the Ivan Papanin, will enhance Russia’s military capabilities in the Arctic and secure the Northern Sea Route (NSR), a vital waterway for both economic and security reasons.

These ships will patrol Russia’s main Arctic shipping lanes, including the Bering Strait.

In a statement during the launch ceremony, Admiral Alexander Moiseev, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, said that these ships would form the core of Russia’s surface forces in the Arctic.

He added that they are essential for protecting the Northern Sea Route, which is increasingly important due to its potential for international trade as global warming opens new shipping lanes.

Russia currently operates a growing fleet of over 40 icebreakers and ice-capable ships, including specialised combat icebreakers.

These vessels are important for ensuring Russia’s dominance in the Arctic, where global powers, including the U.S. and China, are increasing their own military and economic presence.

Russia has invested heavily in its icebreaking and naval fleets, as the Arctic is a crucial region both for its natural resources, including oil and gas and for its northern borders against foreign threats.

Recently, the country also launched the Evpatiy Kolovrat, an icebreaker for its Pacific fleet, and continues to expand its Arktika-class nuclear icebreakers for the Rosatomflot nuclear-powered fleet.

References: Topwar, Asiatimes

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