Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla to Receive Project 12061 Murena-class Assault Hovercraft
 
The Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla will have received three new tugs in 2016 and Project 12061 Murena-class (NATO reporting name: Tsaplya-class) air-cushioned landing craft in 2017, the flotilla’s commander, Rear Admiral Igor Osipov, told TASS in an interview on Friday.
The Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla will have received three new tugs in 2016 and Project 12061 Murena-class (NATO reporting name: Tsaplya-class) air-cushioned landing craft in 2017, the flotilla’s commander, Rear Admiral Igor Osipov, told TASS in an interview on Friday.
 
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Naval Forces News - Russia
 
 
 
Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla to Receive Project 12061 Murena-class Assault Hovercraft
 
The Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla will have received three new tugs in 2016 and Project 12061 Murena-class (NATO reporting name: Tsaplya-class) air-cushioned landing craft in 2017, the flotilla’s commander, Rear Admiral Igor Osipov, told TASS in an interview on Friday.
     
The Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla will have received three new tugs in 2016 and Project 12061 Murena-class (NATO reporting name: Tsaplya-class) air-cushioned landing craft in 2017, the flotilla’s commander, Rear Admiral Igor Osipov, told TASS in an interview on Friday.
Project 12061 Murena-class (NATO reporting name: Tsaplya-class) air-cushioned landing craft
Picture via
bastion-opk.ru
     
"The advanced SB-738 rescue tug built for search and rescue operations in support of the flotilla will start its trials as soon as March. In addition, there are plans to have two more tugs built. Next year, Project 12061 Murena-class assault hovercraft will join the flotilla’s inventory," the admiral said.

According to the flotilla commander, his force will have received six more warships and boats prior to 2020. In addition to brand-new ships, there will be an upgrade of the in-service fleet too. For instance, the Tatarstan guided missile ship, the flagship of the flotilla, has been upgraded, which will improve the performance of her onboard systems and mechanisms.

"At present, the up-to-date combatant ships and boats account for over 80% of the Caspian Flotilla’s inventory and will have stood at 90% by 2020. The flotilla’s capabilities are growing year in, year out. I am certain that we are quite capable of defending the Motherland’ border," Osipov emphasized.

According to the press office of the Southern Military District, the Caspian Flotilla has taken delivery of 13 advanced ships and auxiliary vessels over the last two years - the Project 21631 (Buyan-M-class) Grad Sviyazhsk, Uglich and Veliky Ustyug guided missile corvettes, Serna landing craft, seven integrated rescue support boats, the SB-45 rescue tug and BTR-79 floating crane.

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