In the near future, the Russian fleet may receive a new generation of deep-sea rescue vehicles.
This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, following a working meeting at the Admiralty, where a number of issues were considered for further implementation of the Concept of Search and Rescue Support for the Navy.
According to him, work on the creation of new devices is now underway in the defense department.
The characteristics of the machines will allow them to be used in the Arctic, they will be able to get on the balance of both the Northern and Pacific fleets.
In addition, in accordance with the concept of search and rescue support of the Navy, the modernization of deep-sea vehicles of the Prize and Bester types is underway, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy added.
“The fleet is currently carrying out a program of repair, modernization and maintenance of deep-sea rescue vehicles in service with the fleets of the Russian Navy.
... The program is designed for a period of more than 10 years and provides, along with modernization and repair, and work on the creation of the next generation of deep-sea rescue vehicles, "- said Admiral Nikolai Evmenov.
The equipment upgrade is carried out with an eye to the use of equipment in arctic conditions.
In particular, the modernization of the AS-36 Bester deep-sea rescue vehicle will be completed at the Kanonersky Shipyard in 2021.
The machine will have characteristics that allow it to be used in the Arctic.
Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Nikolay Evmenov
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© Mikhail Golenkov
“This is important for the Northern Fleet, whose forces are actively operating in the Arctic,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
The new characteristics of the AS-36 "Bester" apparatus will increase the efficiency of rescue operations for crews of emergency submarines.
The rescue vehicle will receive new positioning systems, hydroacoustic search and television control.
Life support systems will also be improved.
Earlier, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov reported that six rescue vehicles had already been modernized recently.
Crews of deep-sea rescue vehicles regularly take part in sea exercises.
Each of the naval fleets annually works out the scenario of rendering assistance to the wrecked submarine.
The exercises are as close as possible to the real situation.
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Serious technique"
The inhabited deep-sea rescue vehicle of project 18270 "Bester" has been on the balance of the Russian Navy since the early 1990s.
It is designed for rescue operations at a depth of 800 m and can accommodate up to 18 people.
The crew of the rescue vehicle consists of three people.
The Russian Navy also operates Project 1855 Prize rescue vehicles AS-34, designed to operate at depths of up to 1000 m.
In 2013, it became known about the development of a new rescue vehicle "Bester-1" of project 18271. The new machine received more powerful propellers and steering, as well as a new control system, landing and attachment to the emergency submarine.
The most important improvement, the designers called the new suction chamber to the submarine, through which people can be saved even when the submarine rolls up to 45 degrees.
Previously, rescue vehicles could evacuate the crew of a submarine in distress only if the ship's roll did not exceed 15 degrees.
The general director of JSC “Admiralteyskie Verfi” Alexander Buzakov told reporters about this earlier.
Deep-sea rescue vehicle AS-40 "Bester-1"
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© Vitaly Ankov
In addition, the new rescue vehicle is equipped with an in-line ventilation system, which allows decompression of the rescued sailors to begin already during the ascent.
The ceremony of handover of the AS-40 "Bester-1" apparatus to the Navy took place in February 2016, the machine was developed by specialists of OJSC "Central Design Bureau" Lazurit ".
According to experts, while modernizing the rescue equipment, the designers tried to take into account the tragic experience of previous years - the death of the Kursk submarine, the fire at the naval research vehicle in the Barents Sea, the crash of the K-278 Komsomolets submarine in the Norwegian Sea.
As for the new generation rescue vehicle, the creation of which was announced by the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, experts believe that the details of how the vehicle will look will become known only after the design is completed.
"Deep-sea vehicles can solve different problems, so their development is carried out in a closed mode," Retired 1st-Rank Captain Konstantin Sivkov, Doctor of Military Sciences, explained in an interview with RT.
At the same time, the expert highly appreciated the capabilities of the already operating AS-36 Bester.
"This apparatus allows, for example, to determine with high accuracy the location of a submarine in ice-free zones or near bases," the specialist noted.
Project 955A strategic submarine "Knyaz Vladimir" - "Borey-A"
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© Pavel Lvov
Military expert Viktor Litovkin is of a similar opinion.
“The device AS-36“ Bester ”has shown itself well before.
For the Arctic, it will need to be adapted, since the conditions there are completely different.
The device will be used under ice where communication channels with the carrier vessel cannot be extended.
In addition, ice floes can damage equipment, ”the expert explained in a comment to RT.
According to Viktor Litovkin, a special mission is assigned to deep-sea rescue vehicles.
“This is a very serious technique on which the life of sailors can depend.
And operations have to be carried out in an environment hostile to humans.
Especially when it comes to the Arctic.
The quality issue in this case is very acute, ”the expert emphasized.
Arctic positions
The competition between the leading world powers for the Arctic has noticeably intensified in recent years, experts say.
And Russia has concentrated serious efforts to strengthen its position in the region.
First of all, we are talking about the creation of equipment and technology capable of effectively operating in the harsh climatic conditions of the Far North.
As of early 2020, the share of modern weapons in the arsenal of the Northern Fleet was about 70%.
In recent years, the fleet has been equipped with a variety of new radars and air defense systems, including the S-400 Triumph, Tor-M2DT, S-300, Pantsir-S1.
Ice escort of a detachment of warships of the Northern Fleet, led by the BPK "Vice-Admiral Kulakov" in the Arctic Ocean
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© Ministry of Defense of Russia
There is also a replenishment of the Northern Fleet's ship group.
So, this year the fleet received the newest strategic missile submarine cruiser (SSBN) "Prince Vladimir" of project 955A "Borey-A".
In July 2020, at the Vyborg Shipyard (VSZ), the keel-laying ceremony of the ice-class patrol ship Purga of project 23550 for the border service of the FSB of Russia took place.
The ship will be built by 2024.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the flag-raising ceremony on the new icebreaker Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russia occupies a leading position in the study of the Arctic.
However, this provision needs to be "constantly reaffirmed," he added.
“To build up our positions, to strengthen and renew the fleet, to introduce new advanced technologies for the construction of icebreakers and other ice-class ships,” Putin explained.
According to experts, the Arctic is a sensitive region for our country, since it lies closest to the Russian garrisons of strategic missile forces located beyond the Urals.
This is the opinion of Viktor Litovkin.
“In addition, the Russian Federation needs to protect the Northern Sea Route, provide it with navigation and other equipment, and protect it from uninvited guests.
Rescue ships are badly needed by the Russian Navy in the Arctic, ”the expert said.
This point of view is shared by Konstantin Sivkov.
“Military operations can be conducted in the Arctic even under the ice shell.
And in this case, there is a need for rescue vehicles capable of working in such conditions and at great depths.
The creation of effective rescue vehicles is a vital task for the fleet, ”concluded the expert.