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Russia’s Baltic Fleet takes in service world's largest amphibious landing craft

Specialists at the shipbuilding plant Yantar have repaired the engine unit of the warship and refurbished her hull and other equipment

© ITAR-TASS/Igor Zarembo [Archive]

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KALININGRAD, March 11. /ITAR-TASS/. The largest world's amphibious landing craft Yevgeny Kocheshkov arrived at a permanent naval base at the Russian port of Baltiisk after repair at Baltic shipbuilding plant Yantar (Amber) in the Russian westernmost city of Kaliningrad, head of information support department of the press service of the Western Military District for the Baltic Fleet Captain 2nd Rank Vladimir Matveyev told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

“Kaliningrad shipbuilders have made an overhaul onboard this unique landing ship, giving the second life to her,” he noted.

Specialists at the shipbuilding plant Yantar have repaired the engine unit of the warship and refurbished her hull and other equipment. They have also mounted a new flexible sealing system on the landing warship thanks to which an air cushion is created. Design features of the air cushion permit this powerful surface warship to move on the ground and bypass slight obstacles, such as ditches, trenches, mine fields, move on marshes and make landing in the depth of enemy’s defense.

“Right upon arrival in Baltiisk, the main naval base of the Russian Baltic Fleet, the crew of small amphibious landing craft Yevgeny Kocheshkov has launched drilling her course mission directly at the naval base,” Matveyev said. Then the warship will set out in the high seas to fulfil her mission.

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Project 12322 Zubr small amphibious landing craft Yevgeny Kocheshkov is designed for taking onboard marine landing parties with combat military hardware from developed and underdeveloped coast, delivery by sea, landing of the enemy’s coast and fire support to landed troops. This warship can make landings at up to 70% of total length of coastal line of seas and oceans in the world.

The Baltic Fleet also has the second same-type warship of this project - small amphibious landing craft Mordovia that is also based at the naval base in Baltiisk.

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