Russia Launches Two Armored Modular Amphibious Assault Ships For Special Forces

JAKARTA - Two Project 02510 BK-16E-class amphibious assault ships built at the Rybinsk Shipyard, entered service with the Russian Navy in the Baltic Fleet, the press office of the fleet said Thursday, July 15.

"An official ceremony was held in Primorsk City, Baltiysk Urban District in the Kaliningrad Region, where the ships will be based, to fly the Russian naval flag over these ships", the press office said in a statement, citing TASS Friday, July 16.

This amphibious assault ship built at the Rybinsk Shipyard, specifically for the Baltic Fleet, was delivered under the fleet's planned armament program.

Designed to lift and land attack forces, the ship is also capable of providing fire support for landing troops, participating in anti-sabotage operations, fighting piracy and terrorism, carrying light cargo to taking part in rescue operations.

Overall, the ship, which is operated by a crew of three and capable of carrying 18 personnel, is 16 meters long and four meters wide, with a weight of 22 tons and a speed of 40 knots (nearly 75 km/hour). In addition, it has an operating range of up to 400 nautical miles.

For armament, the ship is equipped with a remote-controlled weapons station built by the firearms manufacturer Kalashnikov Group, with the ability to detect and attack targets during the day and night in any weather conditions.

In addition, the combat module is equipped with armor protection against 7.62 mm bullets that penetrate the armored B-32 and a gyro-stabilized platform to increase the accuracy of fire in the ship's roll.

Meanwhile, citing the Rosoboronexport website, designed to provide support to special forces in coastal areas, the BK-16 built with this modular system can be easily converted into a command and control boat, fire support boat, anti-sabotage boat, police boat, boat for search and rescue operations, ambulance boats or fire fighting boats.

Not only that, but this ship can also be equipped in various combinations with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns, remotely controlled machine guns, as well as grenade launcher stations.

As a sign of the official handover of the ship, Deputy Chief of the Main Staff of the Russian Navy Rear Admiral Oleg Alishev handed over the flag of St. Andrew (Russian Navy) to the ship's commander.