Russian Navy Floats Out "Anti-sabotage" Vessel to Protect Naval Bases

The Russian Navy has launched a new anti-sabotage ship of the Project 21980 Grachonok, in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl region.

The Grachonok-class ships are designed to patrol coastal waters and protect naval bases from enemy underwater sabotage forces.

This latest addition to the fleet is equipped with small arms, anti-sabotage, radiotechnical, and sonar weaponry. It also features latest electronic systems, communication facilities, video surveillance, and navigation equipment. With a displacement of approximately 140 tonnes, the vessel measures 31 meters in length and over 7 meters in beam. It has a range of 200 miles at an economic speed of 16 knots.

The ship is currently undergoing a test cycle and is expected to be fully operational soon. It will be assigned to the Kola Flotilla of mixed forces of the Northern Fleet upon completion.

The Grachonok class, known in Russian as Project 21980, serves multiple roles, including protecting naval bases, ports, and aquatic areas, combating sabotage and terrorist activities at sea, and assisting the Border Service in safeguarding state borders. To date, the Russian Navy has commissioned a total of 12 Project 21980 class counter-sabotage vessels.

The Grachonok class is powered by two MTU or MWM Deutz TBD620V12, Wartsila diesel engines and can reach a top speed of 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph). They are armed with MTPU 14.5mm marine machine-gun installation, DP-64 anti-sabotage grenade launchers, and DP-65 remotely-controlled rocket grenade launcher system.