Rubin Design Bureau Introduces Second Iteration of Heavily-Armed Submersible Patrol Ship

Russia’s Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering has unveiled the second modification of the armed Strazh (Sentinel) submersible patrol ship.

Strazh combines the advantages of a submarine and a surface patrol ship. This version features the largest weapons suite: a small-caliber automatic gun, two missile launchers and four 324mm torpedo tubes, the press office of Rubin told TASS on Wednesday.

The latest modification is the ship's largest version about 72 meters long with its standard displacement of about 1,300 tonnes.

The company added that the ship’s larger dimensions allow it to perform more tasks. Its contours with the wave-cutting forward bow and sloping sides reduce rolling motion, increase the ship's steadiness as a weapons platform and cut radar signature. The vessel’s sonar antenna is accommodated in the bulbous bow, which improves the conditions of its operation while the bulb cuts drag in the ship’s surface position. A more powerful propulsion unit helps the Strazh attains a speed of 21 knots.

Like its other modifications, the patrol ship has two air-tight multi-purpose hangars to accommodate boats and the armament of inspection groups. Both radars and sonar antennae can be employed to hunt down intruders: these capabilities allow stealthily spotting and approaching targets, the press office specified.

Strazh can be used for conducting drills with anti-submarine forces and training the crews of classical submarines. The ship has an operational range of 4,000 nautical miles at a speed of 10 knots, which can be increased, Rubin said.