Russian Navy: Status & News #4

The pantsir looks so fake. Probably only a maket.

Looks legit to me, got very shiny tyres but so do the other vehicles.
I presume this is setup for a Victory Day thing (Naval parade is yet to come right?)

What is the 2nd missile after the guns on the left ? With the long wings.

I think this?

M1 Wave aka SA-N-1 Goa ie Naval version of S-125.
There seem to be a lot of variations in the fins on the booster, that pic seems to about match though.

hoom wrote:Not sure where to put this

Its a nice recent pic of a dock lineup at Kronshtadt.

But when you look closer there is so much more going on, fascinating pic.

Very nice picture that lets you compare the different classes.
Im gessing this is the Baltic Fleet?

Russia threw armored project 1204 into the Sea of ​​Azov

On May 23, 2018, three artillery boats arrived in Kerch from the Caspian fleet of the Russian Navy: two armored boats AK-201 and AK-248 of project 1204 (code "Shmel") and one boat AK-326 of the project 1400M (code "Grief" ).

It is reported that the boats "made the transition from Astrakhan to Kerch for the protection of navigation in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait." Apparently, this transfer is intended to strengthen the protection of the Crimean bridge and increase military pressure on Ukraine in the Sea of ​​Azov due to the tension that has arisen after the seizure by Ukrainian border forces on March 25 of the Russian trawler "Nord" assigned to Kerch. It is unclear whether the transfer of boats on a temporary or permanent basis has been carried out. According to unofficial sources, additional transfer of boats from the Caspian flotilla to the Sea of ​​Azov is possible.





Recall that in the Caspian flotilla are the last four armored vehicles of the project 1204 (AK-201, AK-209, AK-223, AK-248) in the Russian Navy, from the number built for the Navy and the Naval Forces of the Border Troops in 1967-1972. units.



https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3216755.html

George1 wrote:Russia threw armored project 1204 into the Sea of ​​Azov

On May 23, 2018, three artillery boats arrived in Kerch from the Caspian fleet of the Russian Navy: two armored boats AK-201 and AK-248 of project 1204 (code "Shmel") and one boat AK-326 of the project 1400M (code "Grief" ).

   It is reported that the boats "made the transition from Astrakhan to Kerch for the protection of navigation in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait." Apparently, this transfer is intended to strengthen the protection of the Crimean bridge and increase military pressure on Ukraine in the Sea of ​​Azov due to the tension that has arisen after the seizure by Ukrainian border forces on March 25 of the Russian trawler "Nord" assigned to Kerch. It is unclear whether the transfer of boats on a temporary or permanent basis has been carried out. According to unofficial sources, additional transfer of boats from the Caspian flotilla to the Sea of ​​Azov is possible.





   Recall that in the Caspian flotilla are the last four armored vehicles of the project 1204 (AK-201, AK-209, AK-223, AK-248) in the Russian Navy, from the number built for the Navy and the Naval Forces of the Border Troops in 1967-1972. units.




https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3216755.html

What pratical use does these vessels have in modern warfare really? In a confrontation i would not want to be stuck on those boats. More or less sitting ducks for any kind of modern AT weapons/attack helicoter or ever RPG.

walle83 wrote:

George1 wrote:Russia threw armored project 1204 into the Sea of ​​Azov

On May 23, 2018, three artillery boats arrived in Kerch from the Caspian fleet of the Russian Navy: two armored boats AK-201 and AK-248 of project 1204 (code "Shmel") and one boat AK-326 of the project 1400M (code "Grief" ).

   It is reported that the boats "made the transition from Astrakhan to Kerch for the protection of navigation in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait." Apparently, this transfer is intended to strengthen the protection of the Crimean bridge and increase military pressure on Ukraine in the Sea of ​​Azov due to the tension that has arisen after the seizure by Ukrainian border forces on March 25 of the Russian trawler "Nord" assigned to Kerch. It is unclear whether the transfer of boats on a temporary or permanent basis has been carried out. According to unofficial sources, additional transfer of boats from the Caspian flotilla to the Sea of ​​Azov is possible.





   Recall that in the Caspian flotilla are the last four armored vehicles of the project 1204 (AK-201, AK-209, AK-223, AK-248) in the Russian Navy, from the number built for the Navy and the Naval Forces of the Border Troops in 1967-1972. units.




https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3216755.html

What pratical use does these vessels have in modern warfare really? In a confrontation i would not want to be stuck on those boats. More or less sitting ducks for any kind of modern AT weapons/attack helicoter or ever RPG.

Good artillery, based on D-10 100mm tank gun. Otherwise, weak armour, no real AA defence. They are not monitors, simply "protected patrol boats". Russia urgently needs something more powerful, armoured, with good AA defence.

The Kerch (Crimean) bridge will be protected by the armored vessels of the Caspian flotilla
By the way, only four naval armored vehicles of Project 1204 (code "Shmel") from the number of built for the Navy and Marine units of the Border Forces of the KGB of the USSR in 1967-1972 remained in the Russian Navy. These ships are designed for patrolling on rivers and lakes, destroying river vessels and enemy combat boats, assisting the ground forces with artillery and machine-gun fire, transporting personnel with weapons during ferries and operations in river basins, and also for operations in shallow coastal areas of the seas. A total of 118 ships were built.
It is reported that the boats "made the transition from Astrakhan to Kerch for the protection of navigation in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait." Apparently, this transfer is intended to strengthen the protection of the Crimean bridge and increase military pressure on Ukraine after the incident with the vessel "Nord".
It should be noted that this is the right decision. In the Caspian, armored troopers have absolutely nothing to do. With the countries of the Caspian region, Russia has good relations and there is no point in fearing conflicts in the near future. Another thing is the relationship with Ukraine, whose radical politicians threaten to blow up the Kerch bridge and arrest more Russian fishing vessels.
As of today, the Ukrainian Navy is not able to resist the Black Sea Fleet in the event of a conflict in the Azov Sea. Ukraine has in this water area only a few boats capable of resisting the sabotage forces of a likely enemy. On the other hand, the US promises to transfer patrol boats "Island" to Ukraine (though not for free). While Kiev does not have the money to buy ships, but who knows, maybe Donald Trump is generous. Of course, these ships will not be able to withstand the boats and ships of the Black Sea Fleet and the Border Guard Service of the Russian Federal Security Service in open battle, but they can be used as a means of delivery of submarine saboteurs, etc.
In this situation, the armored vessels of the Caspian flotilla, used not so much as carriers of artillery armament, but as a means of combating submarine sabotage forces and weapons, can be useful in the Azov Sea. And to protect, first of all, the Crimean bridge. http://www.ng.ru/columnist/2018-05-28/100_shmel.html?print=Y

They'll be protected by Russian aircraft & AD, but how exactly can they "combat submarine sabotage forces and weapons"?
https://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.asp?ship_id=shmel-class-artillery-gunboat-soviet-union
They r more likely to be used against Ukrainian threat vessels & assist the Border Guard & Marine Infantry should the need arise.
Many had served in the BSF & Ukraine also had 4 units, 2 may still be active: http://russianships.info/eng/borderguard/project_1204.htm

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5_%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0_%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B0_1204#%D0%A7%D1%91%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5

walle83 wrote:............
What pratical use does these vessels have in modern warfare really? In a confrontation i would not want to be stuck on those boats. More or less sitting ducks for any kind of modern AT weapons/attack helicoter or ever RPG.

These are number-fillers, basically river boats.

They are supposed to float around the bridge as extra pair of eyes and guns. They weren't doing anything useful in Caspian Seas anyway.

I guess they were too lazy to repaint them to Coast Guard colors.

No point repainting them as they will end up being replaced first.

The Azov is a very shallow sea. These good old armored river patrol boats are very valuable assets to be use against country 404.
Think shore bombardment, assault team insertion and support etc. etc.

Those are basically river monitors. Great fire support for landing operations in shallow waters. Wish Serbia could afford building few monitors for our mighty river navy. Romanians have few nice and fairly new monitors.

They could also be handy on the Dnieper, Dniester & Danube rivers in deploying special ops. teams or hot war with Ukraine & Moldova.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_rivers_of_Ukraine

Tsavo Lion wrote:They could also be handy on the Dnieper, Dniester & Danube rivers in deploying special ops. teams or hot war with Ukraine & Moldova.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_rivers_of_Ukraine

Why Moldova tho xD

In case there's a threat to Russians in Transnistria enclave. If need be, they may also recommission other boats now in mothballs in the Baltic &/ RFE & send them to the BSF.

I find interesting the Project 1204 for Syria. It is a MRLS boat (140mm).

Maybe old, but still fairly above of the rest of low armed auxiliary patrol boats of the Russian Navy:

- Project 21980
- Project 1400
- Project 12150
- Project 03160
- Project 02510
- Project 02800
- Type IC16MII

In fact the marked in fuchsia can be good candidates to go to Syria as help.

Very nice picture that lets you compare the different classes.
Im gessing this is the Baltic Fleet?

Yes part of Baltic Fleet, Kronshtadt is the naval base of St Petersburg.
But main base where 20380s & Kilos are normally is Kaliningrad.

Good artillery, based on D-10 100mm tank gun.

PT-76 turret & twin 25mm.

What pratical use does these vessels have in modern warfare really?

Dissuading 404 from trying to fuck with the Crimea River Bridge and/or further piracy of Russian shipping in Azov sea, as previously mentioned they 'arrested' a Crimea based trawler & crew for being Russian a few months back.
I believe they've only previously had machinegun armed Border Guard/Coast Guard patrol boats operating in the area so these will provide a bit more firepower.
404s are nuts enough they'll probably still try something & blame 'Russian Aggression' when they get spanked for it

That upgraded Svetlak-class cutter for Coast Guard can't come soon enough

Burst from 30mm AK CIWS should clear out any "misunderstandings​"

They may even establish the Azov Flotilla as a separate command from the BSF or under it, tasked to counter Ukrainian state piracy & infiltrations in the Azov Sea & Kerch Strait AOR only.

PapaDragon wrote:
That upgraded Svetlak-class cutter for Coast Guard can't come soon enough

Burst from 30mm AK CIWS should clear out any "misunderstandings​"

Russia has at this point a strong Coast Guard. Well updated. Do not worry.

If you want something for shore bombardment then just upgrade a Sovromeny class with some Smerch launchers.

And maybe 152mm guns.

eehnie wrote:

PapaDragon wrote:
That upgraded Svetlak-class cutter for Coast Guard can't come soon enough

Burst from 30mm AK CIWS should clear out any "misunderstandings​"

Russia has at this point a strong Coast Guard. Well updated. Do not worry.

That could clearly use some extra boats otherwise they wouldn't need to move these river gunboats around

Especially since these four bathtubs will be needed to escort Russia's new Shtorm-class supercarriers across the oceans

PapaDragon wrote:

eehnie wrote:  Russia has at this point a strong Coast Guard. Well updated. Do not worry.

That could clearly use some extra boats otherwise they wouldn't need to move these river gunboats around

Especially since these four bathtubs will be needed to escort Russia's new Shtorm-class supercarriers across the oceans  

I see you very nervous

Is Israel surrendering Daraa or something?

The Project 1204 has superior level of armament than Coast Guard, including the ship that you commented. In fact would be a missile (rocket) boat.

They should build a few more of those.

Hole wrote:

They should build a few more of those.

Nah, overkill.

These are shore bombardment vessels and it would be better to just build more Buyan-Ms if they are already spending that much cash. Coastline there is covered.

What they need here is something with small draft to deal with vessels operated by random idiots.

Coast Guard already has something in the pipeline that would be perfect, they just need to add AK-630M CIWS to it and they are golden:

https://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/103747/

Probably related to these river boats going to Sea of Azov, Charly015 points out another Project 21980 is on the way to Syria http://charly015.blogspot.com/2018/05/otro-grachonok-hacia-siria.html
There are supposed to be 6 of them active in BSF but a bunch have been stationed at Tartus last several years so that is probably why they're short in Sea of Azov.
Wiki article on Proj 21980 also mentions another order for 4* in 2017 explicitly for defending Crimea Bridge.

Or modern versions of this:




And "Shmel" also got a rocket launcher: