READ INSIDE: SOLID TOWNS ADVANTAGES FOR SHIPBUILDERS Russian shipbuilders USC innovative housing on the world market program has started

№ 4 (17) 2013

FEATURE ONE: TRIUMPH OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Dear readers!

The key feature in this issue of the United Ship- building Corporation’s magazine is dedicated to the event which is symbolic for Russia, India and world’s shipbuilding as a whole — the transfer of the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier to the customer. The significance of this unique project for our countries is discussed by its main participants, including vice-president of the United Shipbuilding Corporation Igor Ponamaryov, deputy director gen- eral of JSC Rosoboronexport Viktor Komardin, heads of core departments of Sevmash, dedicated design bureaus and partner enterprises. The feature articles go together well with materials covering other priority topics of our foreign military technical cooperation in the naval domain. Rec- ognised leaders in different segments of the world naval market – the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, Almaz Central Marine De- sign Bureau, Severnoye Design Bureau, Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center, — share their experience and future plans. The magazine also publishes fragments of a new chapter from the re- edition (to appear soon) of the memoirs written by Alexander Terenov, a well-known submariner who participated in the transfer of nuclear-powered submarines of two generations to the Indian Navy. It also runs an article about a corporate housing construction programme of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, one of the largest initiatives of this kind in the Russian defence industrial complex, which will interest both present-day shipbuilders and their successors who will continue to fulfil the mission of building Russia’s Navy in the coming decades. Among the latter one will undoubtedly find characters of the closing article about the boat model-making laboratory of the Moscow Children and Youth City Palace, its enthusiasts and their plans deserving of all support. I wish you all good health, great successes and prosperity in 2014.

Vladimir Shmakov President, JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation CONTENT

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4_SOLID ADVANTAGES 28_AHEAD OF ITS TIME 48_TO WNS FOR SHIPBUILDERS The interview with the USC Leading Russian submarine Large-scale construction of new Vice-President in charge of state developer improving existing comfortable housing is a major defense order (SDO) and military- submarine projects incentive designed to attract young technical cooperation (MTC) professionals to one of the key Igor PONOMAREV 34_PARTNERS FOR CENTURIES sectors of defense industry Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center 12_ GOOD LUCK TO YOU, develops and improves 52_A FREE PASS TO FUTURE VIKRAMADITYA! the close strategic relationship with The Moscow City Children’s (Youth) Triumph India Creativity Center of strategic partnership is ready to become the initial 38_BY COMBINED EFFORTS platform for training 20_winged power: faster than Experience and prospects of would-be shipbuilders sound, right on target for cooperation between SPKB Ultramodern MiGs are the main and Indian Navy 56_ISSUE WATCH combat power of the new aircraft carrier 42_AVATAR: Divine Incarnation The home country for the legendary captain is on the way to building nuclear-powered Nautiluses

«USC. STRENGTH Address e-mail: [email protected] AND POWER AT SEA» magazine 11/1 Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya, website: www.oaoosk.ru №4(17) 2013 Moscow,123242 Russia Published by USC JSС Tel.: +7 (495) 617-33 00 Fax: +7 (495) 617-34 00 President of USC — Vladimir Shmakov Remarks by President of USC rine will be floated off the oldest Rus- Vladimir Shmakov at the launching sian shipyard, which people in the Black ceremony of the Novorossiysk diesel Sea Fleet are so eager to get.” submarine (Project 636): I am glad it will be a whole range of low noise submarines, carrying powerful “It is a special day for people in Ad- missile and torpedo systems, sophis- miralty shipyards, designers in Rubin, ticated radio and sonar systems. The everyone in USC and representatives of new combat boats of Project 636 will the Navy. Today we are floating out the substantially boost the potential of the lead boat of Project 636 Novorossiysk. It Black Sea Fleet, reinforce defensive ca- is the first time in the past two decades pability and safety of Russia’s southern a modern combat, conventional subma- sea border. SHIPBUILDING HORIZONS

4 USC №4(17), 2013 SOLID ADVANTAGES Russian Shipbuilders on the Global Market The interview with the USC Vice-President in charge of state defense order (SDO) and military-technical cooperation (MTC) Igor PONOMAREV

r. Ponomarev, For example, Project 877EKM submarines, you are prob- which excellently proved themselves in the cus- - ably the first tomer’s navy, and Project 636 subs with the Club М vice president missile system, designed to attack ground and in USC’s history surface targets, were sold at that time. One can who supervises both SDO and MTC areas, i.e. also recall the Project 11356 frigate featuring domestic and export sectors. What are the ben- new technology, which excellently passed sea efits of such integration and its “pitfalls”? trials. That’s why export can safely be called a — Let’s start with the fact that we exported major factor of supporting the shipbuilding in- ships that had undergone testing in our Navy dustry in that period. back in the Soviet era. Then, when the Russian period arrived, we stopped building follow-on The main objective ships for our Navy and were forced to switch of the Corporation — precisely over to export orders. Export became a com- « the SDO & MTC division — is to apply ponent that maintained the domestic defense the achievements we have gained industry’s efforts to keep designing and develop- fulfilling the RF Ministry of Defense’s ing new weapons systems... orders and introduce them into — And preserving the capacity. the export systems designed for delivery to a foreign customer. — And preserving the operating, workforce and That is to make our equipment production capacity. Between 1991 and 2000, the more competitive when promoting export orders had helped the shipbuilding industry it in external markets». stay afloat and continue to implement new designs, new technologies and improved weapons systems.

USC №4(17), 2013 5 SHIPBUILDING HORIZONS

goods (with respect to after-sales service) taken at the June meeting of the MTC Commission became a true step forward. This is a backbone decision that will enable an integrated structure to directly engage in services, repair, and train- ing, bypassing the state intermediary agency, which, in turn, will significantly facilitate the relationship with a foreign partner in after-sales service area. The Corporation can act here as a link between the design bureau (designer) and manufacturer, define the technical policy, which will make it possible to operate these ships throughout their life cycle. In addition, the RF Ministry of Defense was tasked to prepare pilot unified life-cycle system projects. Thus, we can normally use our SDO experience also in pro- jects involving foreign customers. Since 2004, our Navy and the Russian Minis- Project 636 large The main objective of the Corporation – pre- diesel-electric try of Defense began ordering follow-on ships. submarine cisely the SDO & MTC division – is to apply the It is clear that the technology and weapons used achievements we have gained fulfilling the RF previously for foreign customers were trans- Ministry of Defense’s orders and introduce them ferred to ships for the domestic Navy. Example: into the export systems intended for delivery to the Navy ordered improved versions of Project a foreign customer. That is to make our equip- 636 submarines and Project 11356 ships. ment more competitive in external markets. Let me explain the difference between export and state defense order. — It is this aspect I’d like to talk about in There is a legal framework governing state more detail. We have been acting in the exter- defense order that encompasses the relevant nal arms market for long, for several decades. regulations and RF Ministry of Defense’s guid- But at present we are watching budget cuts in ance documents. And there is the law govern- a number of naval powers. Competition in the ing military-technical cooperation. Specifics of export market is sharply escalating. In this working under MTC and SDO are totally differ- context, what competitive advantages do we ent. These are two totally different areas of busi- have, how do we feel at these sites? And what ness in terms of establishing commercial and should be done to strengthen the advantages industrial activities. We work according to dif- and maybe try to somehow mitigate existing ferent legislative and regulatory documents. We disadvantages? have certain regulations covering internal orders — If we take today’s ratio between the SDO and quite different ones for work under MTC. Project 12418 and MTC structures, SDO accounts for around At the same time, there are common, similar missile boat 60-70% for our enterprises (in the aggregate for and related issues. For our ships, we use the same weapons and the same equipment (we ac- tually build the same ships) which we hand over to foreign customer. We develop new export configuration certificates and offer foreign cus- tomers new ships which are under series con- struction for the Russian Navy. I think that integrating the MTC and SDO is- sues in one organizational structure will benefit. Since we are well aware of the workload of our enterprises with SDO, we can regulate export orders, redistributing them between the plants within the Corporation. The overall vision of the situation in terms of the total workload of our enterprises and design bureaus allows us to wisely distribute the workload in order to re- ceive the most lucrative contracts in the future. I can add that the decision to grant the prime or- ganizations of the integrated structures the right to carry out foreign trade activities with military

6 USC №4(17), 2013 Project 11356 escort the Corporation). Export orders are responsible (aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya) in November ship (frigate) for 17-18%. We should maintain such parity, 2013. Earlier this year we transferred the second such a balance — 20-25% for MTC — so that the three Project 11356 frigates thus successfully money received from foreign customers is suf- completing the entire series. We are studying ficient to maintain and develop the production the further construction of Project 11356 ships capacity of the USC and the Russian Federation in Russia. In the near future we are going to in general. take part in a tender to supply air-independent And now a few words about the sales mar- propulsion (AIP) submarines. Our Rubin De- kets. We have been involved into the Vietnam’s sign Bureau has gained extensive experience in Navy development program rather seriously this area. It is assumed that the two ships will and, as I understand it, for long. Our current be built in Russia and four at Indian shipyards. contracts provide for the delivery of six subma- Joint construction or design work is another rines to the country. We supply equipment for area where most likely we will cooperate with the license construction of ten Project 12418 India. Its program for building the indigenous craft and for the assembly of Project TA-400 aircraft carrier has been postponed every year. ships in Vietnam. To all appearances the next Therefore, we consider the joint design of the step in the field of military-technical coopera- aircraft carrier together with selecting the con- tion with this Asian country struction site by agreement with the customer will involve the supply of as a line of cooperation. We have established I’m sure that larger ships like frigates ourselves in the Indian market for a long time in a year and a half « or corvettes (options are and are among the major suppliers of weapons we’ll be able to compete possible). These near-term and military equipment to the country. As to the with German and French plans are currently under forms of cooperation, for the time being, setting submarine builders. study. up a joint venture in India seems most likely and We’ll develop an AIP plant, As to the Indian market, it remains to be seen how matters will go. implement it, add powerful we have already imple- There is also the Algerian market. Here, too, weapons — and our mented rather big deliver- everything is clear: work on contracting two boats will be unrivalled ies. First and foremost, Project 636 submarines is under way. We were in the near future». this is the handover of the making preparations for a tender with the Pro- ex-Admiral Gorshkov ship ject 20382, but unfortunately lost it for price pa-

USC №4(17), 2013 7 SHIPBUILDING HORIZONS

rameters. Apparently, the Algerian market does Now, perhaps, it’s worth discussing the perfor- Project 20382 Tiger corvette not need such a sophisticated ship. Our design mance of our ships versus their foreign counter- bureaus will have to take this into account and parts. In some areas we are ahead of them, espe- submit a less sophisticated project – well armed cially in diesel submarines. We have powerful tor- but less expensive. After all, the ship is excellent: pedo and missile weapons, which none country in it has undergone trials in the Russian Navy and the world has available. Add to that the excellent has considerable potential for promotion in the quiet performance of our submarines plus AIP external market. Just the price indicators need developments. I’m sure that in a year and a half to be revised. we’ll be able to compete with German and French The above are the main areas of cooperation. submarine builders. We’ll develop an AIP plant, In addition, we have plans for Latin America. implement it, add powerful weapons — and our Together with Rosoboronexport, we are study- boats will be unrivalled in the near future. ing the variants for designing an aircraft carrier Russian surface ships, particularly small dis- jointly with Brazil for this country. placement ones, too, are quite competitive in the We are negotiating with Venezuela. Here, too, international market. Take, for example, Project there is a prospect for promoting our equipment 11356 and 20382 frigates. Here the question is in the Latin American countries. purely commercial. I say once again: our ships It is also necessary to say a few words about are comparable with foreign China, our other traditional partner. China has counterparts in terms of clearly defined the main objective. The Chinese performance. So the single Yes, our ships rely on their own strength and manufacture question is the price. If we «are perhaps not everything in their country, so here we need to can reduce the cost of our as comfortable and aesthetic, focus on joint R&D efforts. It is unlikely that products and properly pre- as their foreign counterparts. China will order end pieces of equipment from sent them in the interna- Our design school has us — only in some exceptional cases. It will tional market, to all appear- always been tasked with try to transfer all of the technology to its terri- ances we will be successful the single goal — to ensure tory, that is, to develop boats together. Russia’s in our traditional niches, of combat use of the ship. FSMTC and Rosoboronexport are already hold- course, taking into account Everything was used to meet ing talks in this area and the USC is also ready to that arms trade is a matter this goal. take part in them. of politics.

8 USC №4(17), 2013 — Is an emphasis on providing quality after- At our plants engaged in series construction, sales support may contribute? for example at Admiralty Shipyards, there are — As I said, all the efforts undertaken by neat plans and schedules and all of them are FSMTC and RF Presidential MTC Commis- met. However, when you work on a single order sion are now focused precisely on establishing in cooperation with foreigners and the very system of quality after-sales service for receive raw materials from abroad, If French weapons systems. So that the customer had no logistics suffers heavily due to numer- shipbuilders doubt that the equipment which it purchases ous customs procedures. « have something will be provided with spare parts. I do not think that we need to fol- to learn, this By the way, I can give you a lot of examples low the French’s example in some- is scheduling of poor customer support on part of Western thing else. We performed joint work and strict control, firms. A lot! And please do not say that they with STX to high quality standards fulfillment provide delivery within 5-6 hours anywhere and the French side noted it. We of scheduled in the oceans of the world. There are the same delivered as per schedule. And the obligations right legislative issues. Permits, licenses, contracting, docking of the hull sections took place on time». commercial negotiations — absolutely every- so that no adjustment and additional thing as we have in our country. So there’s no reinforcements were required. It was need to distort the facts asserting that Russia is also noted by the French side. unable to provide after-sales service to the ex- Now few words about the Mistral tent which European firms do. proper. We do not receive the ship on a turn-key The same internal problems as we have in basis. The ship, which comes from France, will Russia: the customer will see none spare parts be placed at one of USC shipyards, where fol- until the contract is concluded, until money is low-on work will be done to ensure integration received, until they obtain a license. of French and Russian equipment with a combat information management system and additional — You recently went to France’s Saint- work will be performed to install Russian weap- Nazaire, where the first Mistral built under the ons, communication systems, etc. RF Ministry of Defense’s order was launched. Our design bureaus have extensive experience Could you sum up the intermediate results in similar integration activities: we carried out this of this revolutionary rapprochement in the work under other orders, too. Although, on the relationship with NATO countries in the naval other hand, any ship coming from abroad should shipbuilding area? We have ordered and jointly be fitted and delivered in the same manner as Rus- built such a large ship for our armed forces. sia delivers a ship to a foreign customer. But as you Have the French taught us something in this can see, it doesn’t work out with a European coun- project? try. We are forced to receive a semi-finished prod- — You know, no country selling a project uct. Of course, this sounds rude – but it is difficult abroad will break all the secrets and know-how to say in other way. For such money we should of its military equipment to the detriment of receive a ship from abroad ready for combat use. itself. It is an axiom. As regards the political and In the case of procurement in a NATO country, economic aspects of the deal in principle ... I do such equipment configuration is excluded. And it’s not know, maybe the RF Navy and Ministry of a disadvantage of cooperation. Defense receive the ship they would like to have. In addition, we had not got any special tech- Perhaps this is so. nologies. Given the flaws in STX design office, A direct interaction with the STX shipyard we were forced to rework all their drawings at in hull construction has taught us one valuable Admiralty Shipyards’ engineering center. By lesson. The fact is that we encountered certain the way, the French praised the high-quality difficulties when making the first hull. Logistics and efficient work of our design bureaus. They in Europe is quite different, with no customs have different specifics. Our design bureaus are borders. And of course, production schedul- specialized in certain kind of equipment and ing there is on the ball. We, however, may be use their own drawings. The French shipyards two months behind schedule and then quickly employ some firms for each area or work and eliminate the gap through three-shift operation. then bring everything together, which ultimately They have no such practice. They were amazed hinders large-scale construction when we caught up a six-month gap in a couple So there are flaws in design work in Europe. of months: “Indeed!? That is impossible, that is Take, for example, the last occurrence with never possible in general.” So, if they have some- Spain’s Navantia when they blundered on a sub- thing to learn, this is scheduling and strict con- marine. In the system we established, our design trol, fulfillment of scheduled obligations right bureaus never allow such blunders. We simply on time. can not make mistake with weight loads.

USC №4(17), 2013 9 SHIPBUILDING HORIZONS

— Yes, a mistake of a few hundred tons... — Unaffiliated experts We have preserved — This boat cannot re-surface. According to acknowledge that Russian the design weapons have advantages « the latest press reports, they have invited the school, preserved Americans to consult and clarify the situation. such as ease of mainte- skilled personnel and The Americans proposed to lengthen the hull nance and increased ef- professionalism. We by a certain number of frames. And, when you ficiency in the immediate must try not to lose all that». come right down to it, this means redesigning period of operations. Is it the entire ship. We do not make such blunders, really so? we, too, sometimes may make little mistakes, — The question is word- but not in weight loads. ed absolutely properly. I’ll tell you more: the Germans, too, had simi- Indian sailors, who went on German and our lar problems in civil shipbuilding. Our Iceberg submarines, always say: in peacetime we are Design Bureau made small mistakes in designing ready to serve on board more comfortable Ger- icebreakers, but it’s still not comparable. Our man boats, but will go fighting only on your, advantages here are strong enough. We have Russian ones. preserved the design school, preserved skilled Our equipment is more reliable, easy to use personnel and professionalism. We must try not and more efficient as regards the use of weap- to lose all that. ons. This is true not only for submarines, but

Vikramaditya aircraft carrier

10 USC №4(17), 2013 also for surface ships. Our design school has Night landings were performed for the first time always been tasked with the single goal — to (this didn’t take place during the Soviet era). ensure combat use of the ship. Everything was Of course, this is not a prototype ship of the used to meet this goal. Yes, our ships are per- future. If Russia comes to grips with the idea haps not as comfortable and aesthetic, as their of its own aircraft carrier, other technical solu- foreign counterparts. But we are now correcting tions will have to be incorporated in its design. this situation. In fulfilling the Ministry of De- Propulsion, armaments, aircraft take-off pro- fense’s order, we are applying a more responsible cedures, catapult, an aircraft set, and displace- approach to the design of cabins, living condi- ment should be all different. But the experience tions. In general, we’ll modify the situation... of designing, building and testing suggests that our industry is ready to build such ships. This is — Have we learned some lessons from most important. the collaboration with the Indian side on the Therefore, if we now lose valuable experience Gorshkov-Vikramaditya project? In particular, and not launch the specialized design bureaus, those related to habitability improvement. We we may lose the unique designers and will not be traditionally paid less attention to such details. able to simply train them in the future. After all, — I think that our greatest achievement on this is a special design community specializing the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya project is in large ships and aircraft carriers. Let’s learn at the fact that we have brought together the whole least from others’ mistakes. A lot of technical co-operation system since the collapse of the problems concerning propulsion, air facilities, Soviet Union — because Russia did not build etc., including the loss of screws, were revealed aircraft carriers and generally did nothing after during the trials of the aircraft carrier Charles the break-up of the USSR. Co-operation on this de Gaulle. And all that was because France project was extensive — more than 1,500 enter- ceased to design aircraft carriers for some time. prises. It is yet unclear what will be the outcome of the Second — we have improved the capabilities construction of aircraft carriers in the UK, but of the Sevmash Shipyard to the extent that it I think that the same mistakes will take place. was able to build the aircraft carrier almost from Loss of design and production personnel is scratch. fraught with the most severe consequences. The habitability conditions and living space I asked the Commander-in-Chief of the RF for the complement are also certainly important. Navy about a smooth transition to designing a After the detailed design was approved, the In- Russian aircraft carrier. Not about construction dians placed additional requirements for habit- (construction requires a lot of money and long ability: cabins, wardrooms, mess rooms, etc. We time) but namely design work. I think we need have taken into account the experience and will to start it already now. For the State, it is not so probably use it later on corvettes, frigates and much money which will be invested in a new other surface ships. direction of the domestic Navy development.

— How have our naval mariners evaluated — Mr. Ponomarev, I’m well aware that ship- the aircraft carrier? Sorry to part? building is an inertial and conservative indus- — Last year, I spoke with Admiral Vitko, who try where rush and sudden movements do not now commands the Black Sea Fleet. In a brief give positive results. But nevertheless, as you talk he said that the ship is very well configured supervise both the SDO and MTC areas, tell us and carries weapon and aircraft landing systems would we see new developments from our de- that currently are not available in our Navy. It is sign bureaus, which would later be the national very nice to serve on the ship. He noted that the pride of the Navy and the object of desire for aircraft carrier has excellent seaworthiness — foreign customers? 29.5 knots. It has achieved a full speed. The — I’ve already mentioned in the beginning astern speed is 15 knots. This is a good handling of the conversation that we have laid major and maneuverable ship. MiG test pilots told me groundwork both in surface and underwater that the ship takes aircraft excellently and the shipbuilding. Design work is under way. All new pilots lead for landing without fear of mistakes. technical and design solutions will be tested on the ships intended for the Russian Navy. The po- In aircraft carrier construction, tential we have now will only grow. I am confi- loss of engineering and dent that our equipment has excellent prospects « and will maintain its highly competitive position production personnel is fraught with the most severe consequences». in the global market in the future. Interviewed by Alexei KRAVCHENKO

USC №4(17), 2013 11 EVENTS OF THE CENTURY

GOOD LUCK TO YOU, VIKRAMADITYA! Triumph of strategic partnership

12 USC №4(17), 2013 Conversion of the Admiral new and fully functional sys- Gorshkov Soviet/Russian tem of cooperation between heavy aircraft-carrying several hundred enterprises cruiser into INS Vikrama- restored in the course of ditya aircraft carrier, the the project implementa- Indian Navy’s flagship and tion, unique competences “master” of the Indian in building aircraft-carrying Ocean, is the largest project platforms acquired by Sev- ever in the richest history of mash, a remarkable naval military technical coopera- air system comprising the tion of our two countries. MiG-29K/KUB shipborne Both parties to the project fighters of the 4th++ gen- admit that they have been eration boasting unique able to surmount plenty of characteristics, a formidable obstacles, including those arsenal of high-precision which seemed at first glance weapons and ship-based insurmountable, due to the aircraft support facilities — unprecedented level of mu- just to name a few. tual understanding and trust In the eyes of Russian sea- established between them men and pilots, who par- during its realisation. The ticipated in the Vikramaditya project was started at the sending-off ceremony, I turn of the century, when saw glimpses of sadness at Russia’s shipbuilding indus- parting with her, but also of try was reaping bitter fruits confidence in future air and of the “crazy 90s”, and liter- sea missions that they would ally revived important parts be able to carry out in their of the shipbuilding complex own country’s aircraft and by providing new jobs and, aircraft-carrying ships. what’s more important, setting a serious goal to de- THANK YOU, VIKRAMADITYA! signers and shipbuilders. WE WISH YOUR CREWS Thirteen years later, when TRUE FRIENDSHIP AND Russia handed over the MASTERSHIP AT SEA. beautiful aircraft carrier to WE WISH YOU SUCCESSFUL the Indian side, it was also CRUISES AND VICTORIOUS able to count several major RETURNS TO HOMEBASE. structural and military- MAY THERE ALWAYS technical achievements BE FAIR WINDS AND A among its assets. FOLLOWING SEA! Suffice it to mention a Aleksei KRAVCHENKO

USC №4(17), 2013 13 EVENTS OF THE CENTURY

On 27 October 2013 the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier built in the Soviet era at the Nikolayevsk Shipyard and revived at the biggest Russian shipbuilding plant ”Sevmash”, sailed off its wharf under the command of Indian Navy’s Commodore Suraj Berri. Severodvinsk parted with its creation on a day that was unusually warm for the North ...

Ekaterina Pilikina, JSCo «PO «Sevmash» The only one in the world The completion of the ship repair and Now foreigner modernisation has closed, perhaps, one of the One week before this event the ship saw most dramatic pages in the annals of shipbuilding. the ceremony of lowering the Russian flag and The project for re-equipping aircraft-carrying hoisting the Indian Navy flag in the presence cruiser into aircraft-carrier is unique and has no of the Russian deputy Prime-Minister Dmitri analogues in the world’s practice. Rogozin and Indian Defence Minister AK Antony. In the late 1990s Sevmash stepped into unknown INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier officially became territory. The plant which had previously built only the territory of another state. «Today when the nuclear submarines undertook to transform the ship is accepted, we see what serious work has Admiral Gorshkov missile cruiser into a ship of been done. Sevmash has coped with the problem another, much more complex project. at the highest professional level, and we can only congratulate all employees of the shipyard with the successful completion of the project, — noted Mr Antony. Indian Navy Commander-in-Chief Vikramaditya aircraft carrier specifications Devender Kumar Joshi added: «Sevmash had very Overall length 285.3 m narrow specialisation, but we did not doubt that Overall breadth 60.1 m the task would be fulfilled, and we are very happy Height from keel to antenna vertex 58.7 m with the results of the work». «This demonstrates Power plant Steam our country’s readiness and renewed capability to Number of boilers 8 build combat ships of such type, — added Dmitri Number of take-off positions 2 Rogozin in his turn. After many years when the Fuel endurance 45 days Russian industry had been passing through a grave Standard displacement 34,600 t crisis, we managed to restore competences in Full displacement 45,400 building aircraft-carrying fleet. It is a crucial point Maximum speed 29 knots Economical speed 18 knots for Russia itself».

14 USC №4(17), 2013 bulkheads to allow unloading bulky equipment, and various mechanisms were demounted and dispatched for repair. After signing the contract in 2004 the Nevskoye project design bureau began detailed design engineering. It was done simultaneously with the repairs. Over 33,000 drawings and 3,000 technical and operational documents were issued. New structures mounted on the future aircraft carrier weighed 580 about 6,000 tonnes in total, which is technical holes comparable to the displacement of were opened two frigates. But when it came to in the decks and Mr Igor Leonov was appointed supplier-in- cable routes replacement, specialists bulkheads to allow charge. He was then 36. Well ambitious and self- were baffled: the length of cables to demounting bulky reliant, he had an experience in nuclear submarine be procured was not 250 metres, but equipment. construction. Today he recalls the time when the 2,500 kilometres (!). The estimate The length of cables Admiral Gorshkov just came in to Sevmash. “The made by the plant showed that procured equalled cruiser was in a poor state. Life gleamed only in labour content of the ship repairs the superstructure whereas the aft tanks kept ice and retrofit was comparable to that till July, the entire steam heating system was out of of its construction at the Nikolayev 2,500 km. operation, 17 kilometres of pipes were defrosted, shipyard. The volume of work New structures and the ship holds were flooded with fuel oil. First surpassed by several times that mounted on the we started cleaning and heating the ship, and of standard intermediate repairs future aircraft carrier troubleshooting pipes. The Russian Navy crew was stipulated by the project normative weighed eager to help us”. documents. nearly The years that followed are a chronicle of incessant labour and quest for non-standard Lessons and conclusions technical solutions: a period of losses and gains. Due to unforeseen extra volumes 6,000 Several years almost every day a few railway of work revealed on board the ship tonnes flatcars filled with non-repairable equipment, during the repair it became obvious in total, which is furniture, cladding, insulation, pipes and that the modernisation cost should comparable to the cables departed from the wharf for disposal. be revised. Long negotiations with displacement of two 580 technical holes were opened in the decks and the Indian side were initiated. frigates. 234 sections «Sevmash never stopped the work. were installed, After a supplementary contract had each weighing The estimate made at the plant been signed in 2010 and additional showed that labour content 10 to 36 tonnes. funds allocated, we managed to The number of in repairing and retrofitting concentrate and mobilise production the ship was comparable specialists working on resources, — notes vice-president the ship reached to that of its initial construction of the United Shipbuilding at the Nikolayev shipyard Corporation Igor Ponomaryov. — four thousand This is a lesson both for us and for persons.

USC №4(17), 2013 15 EVENTS OF THE CENTURY

the Indian side: initial contract needs more The name Gupta dynasty who overpowered thorough preparation. The world practice “Vikramaditya” rulers of the Saka dynasty in the shows that, as a rule, long-term and complex means “strong Indian state Gujarat. His reign was contracts are continuously revised during as the sun”. It is marked with great achievements their implementation and their costs are growing». believed that the in human thought, general peace The ship’s architecture was radically changed right to be named and prosperity. During his brave as a result of works performed. The shipbuilders “King Vikramaditya” truly belongs rule he put an end to foreign breathed a new life into the ship: they prolonged its to Chandragupta II (380-415 AD) dominance. His empire extended deck by 8 metres to allow landing of the more than to anybody else. He from the Bay of Bengal to the MiG‑29K/KUB advanced fighters; manufactured was the third emperor in the Arabian Sea. and mounted a 14‑degree ski-jump for short take-off, adapted the main powerplant to diesel fuel, fitted the ship with the most advanced radio- electronic and other types of equipment… «We have passed a long way and can now conclude completely cleaned out both on the inside and that Sevmash would have built a new ship much from the outside. The aircraft carrier was repaired quicker — Sergei Novosyolov, head of production outdoors (in the dock and Wharf 3), and the work for military technical cooperation, is quite positive was done in three shifts. The number of specialists about it. — There is not a single welded suspension working on the ship reached four thousand of the old ship left intact, the hull has been persons».

Crew training included three stages passed in 2011 and 2012. At the first stage theoretical classes were given in Saint Petersburg; at the second stage practical training, together with the preparation for acceptance trials, was held in Severodvinsk; and at the third stage ship practice was conducted on board the aircraft carrier — both on shore and at sea». 53 groups of crew specialists (about 1,400 servicemen) passed theoretical and practical training during 2012-2013.

carrying cruiser is removed from the Na- “Sevmash Production Association” in the Aircraft carrier vy’s operational inventory and transferred city of Severodvinsk. to Category 2 reserve. chronicle 1 March 2005: The Directorate of Naval 4 October 2000: An intergovernmental Plans of the Indian Navy Headquarters an- 1978: Project 1143.4 Baku heavy aircraft- agreement is signed in New Delhi, which nounces the new ship’s name — “Vikram- carrying cruiser is laid at the Black Sea stipulates that the Admiral Gorshkov aditya” (which means “strong as the sun”), shipyard in the city of Nikolayev. heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser shall be emblem and motto — “Strike Far, Strike handed over by Russia to India as a dona- Sure”. 20 December 1987: The Soviet Navy flag tion and the Indian side shall reimburse 30 November 2005: After finishing the is hoisted on the new cruiser. its conversion into an aircraft carrier and first stage of the work the cruiser is trans- shall procure fighter aircraft and helicop- 4 October 1990: Order of the Minister of ferred to the flooding pond. Defence No. 0201 on renaming the ship is ters for basing on it. November 2008: The future aircraft car- issued. The new name is “Soviet Union’s 20 January 2004: Contracts are signed for rier is set afloat at a formal ceremony. Fleet Admiral Gorshkov”. Sergei Geor- repairing and retrofitting the ship, procur- gievich Gorshkov was Soviet Navy’s ing the air wing and shipborne weapons. 4 December 2008: The ship is transferred Commander-in-Chief, deputy Minister of to the fitting-out wharf on the Navy Day 9 March 2004: The Admiral Gorshkov heavy Defence from 1956 to 1985, twice Hero of India. aircraft-carrying cruiser is handed over to of the Soviet Union. India during a solemn donation ceremony November 2010: The aircraft carrier is fed 1994: The Admiral Gorshkov heavy aircraft- held at the federal state unitary enterprise by its organic power sources. Mooring tri-

16 USC №4(17), 2013 The ship spent 188 days at sea trials and covered over 20,000 n.m. The ship-based aircraft performed 261 flights.

Tested by the North People say that that the atmosphere on the ship Sea trials of the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier was so friendly that as the trials were drawing to a which lasted two seasons in the White and close the Russian and Indian combat crews as well Barents Seas proved the validity of all engineering as the trial team almost did without the help of and organisational solutions taken during its 80 interpreters present on board. modernisation. The ship commanded by Captain 1st rank Igor Ryabko and ship officer in charge «The mastership Alexander Shevchenko demonstrated excellent at the world-class level» controllability and manoeuvrability. It developed Having two commanders from different a record speed of 29.5 knots. Russian test pilots countries on board the surface ship was a unique performed successful takeoffs from, and landings case. «We worked as one crew, — Commodore on the aircraft carrier’s deck, including those made Suraj Berri shares his memories of the sea cruise. at night for the first time in the last 14 years. Test Suraj Berri, son of a serviceman, has a rich pilots of the State Flight Test Center M. Belyaev, naval biography. He sailed out with the trial team S. Rybnikov, A. Shishov and O. Mutovin brilliantly on INS Delhi destroyer, commanded INS Nirbhik performed their tasks. missile boat, INS Karmuk corvette and INS Talwar

als of the ship mechanisms and systems First issues with the operation of the ship a speed of 29.2 knots, which exceeds the are begun. boilers are identified. A decision is made speed specified by the contract. to continue trials in the next year. 27 December 2011: The first boiler is 12 September 2013: Pilots finish their launched into operation, the initial pres- April 2013: The aircraft carrier is taken into flight operations on board the ship. They sure is raised up to 40 bars. the flooding pond and set on the docking have made 43 take-offs and landings, of base. Inspection of the hull, propeller- which 12 are executed at night. Testing of 7 April 2012: The aircraft carrier is trans- rudder system, bottom and side fittings the aviation materiel has involved aircraft ferred to the ship deperming stand. Tests and paint coating is carried out in accord- of five types: Il-38, A-50, MiG-29K, MiG- have been run for two weeks to check ance with the contract provisions. The Bal- 29KUB, Su-33, and three types of rotary- compliance of the ship’s electromagnetic tic shipyard takes action on all deficiencies wing craft: Ka-27PS search and rescue, field with the specification requirements. concerning the ship boilers. Ka-27PL antisubmarine warfare and Ka-31 radar picket helicopters. The ship 8 June 2012: The aircraft carrier goes to 3 July 2013: The ship again goes to the repeats manoeuvring and speed trials and its first sea trials with 2,000 persons on White Sea ranges to continue trials. demonstrates a speed of 29.5 knots at the board — the trial team, the crew, repre- Measurements of the ship’s electro- measured mile. It shows the full astern sentatives of the Indian Navy and contrac- magnetic field surpass most optimistic speed of 15.6 knots which is equally im- tor organisations. The trials are conducted estimates: its values are four times lower pressive for the ship of this type. in the White and Barents Seas. than those stipulated by the contract 16 November 2013: The Vikramaditya air- specifications. 28 July 2012: The MiG-29KUB makes the craft carrier is transferred with a solemn first landing on board the aircraft carrier. 28 July 2013: The aircraft carrier develops ceremony to the Indian Navy.

USC №4(17), 2013 17 EVENTS OF THE CENTURY

frigate. He also served ashore in the Western aircraft carrier will carry out its More than Naval Command in different military posts. But missions with the Indian Navy only the aircraft carrier added new colours to joining the Western Fleet. It will his life. Under his command this ship covered play a central role in the naval task 2,500 1,700 n. m. during sea trials. All orders were force demonstrating new capabilities compartments on board given in English and were executed by Indians and power of the Indian Navy. This the aircraft carrier have only (Russian specialists acted as assistants and formidable aircraft carrier displaces an area comparable consultants). Today Commodore S. Berri says with 45,000 tonnes, has a powerplant to that of five standard pride: «I think it is my great piece of luck that I rated at 180,000 hp and can carry five-story buildings. have been entrusted with the command of such a 30 aircraft on board. The length magnificent ship. Standing in the pilot house or on of its deck is commensurable with the flight deck I realise the immense responsibility, that of three football fields, and area of its 2,500+ trust and honour that my country and the Indian compartments is comparable to that of five Navy gave me. The major part of the crew — standard five-story buildings. According to Suraj officers and seamen — are the best professionals in Berri: «Project 11430 is quite unique and, perhaps, the Indian Navy. I am truly happy to be a part of the only one of its kind». «A heavy aircraft- this crew and to serve with them on board the carrying cruiser has been transformed into a same ship”. full-fledged aircraft carrier based on the STOBAR As Indian military say, in accordance with system. The scale, scope and quality of work the Indian Navy’s doctrine the Vikramaditya performed by Sevmash can be characterised as

18 USC №4(17), 2013 The Vikramaditya technical miracle which has showed for strict caloric content and dish variety — this is aircraft carrier engineering skills of the world-class their way of feeding. Cooks must hone their skills at is to play a central level, — he admits. — Despite great refresher courses every 3 to 4 years. role in the naval many challenges faced during the repair Proper attention is paid not only to nourishment. task force and modernisation Sevmash together Neither is cultural life forgotten. For instance, demonstrating with its subcontractors and Nevskoye a white-colour imported German-origin grand new capabilities project design bureau managed to piano is installed in the ship’s saloon for crew and power create a truly reliable, potent and members who play music. of the Indian Navy. greatly capable combatant». Facets of interrelations «So that sailor did not miss his «The work on the aircraft carrier is a historic homeland» milestone in the chronicles of the Russia’s largest About 2,000 Indian officers and shipbuilding yard and an important project for sailors will serve on board the ship. Spending the contemporary domestic shipbuilding, — notes some time with the ship I came to realise that in Sevmash’s director general Mikhail Budnichenko. — the Indian Navy everything is subordinated to the The project has inseparable professional and main idea of faultless service. Special attention is cultural facets. Years of joint work with Indian given even to meals cooked on the aircraft carrier. officers allowed us to discover India of our own, 59 best cooks of India were recruited for service feel a profound respect for traditions of our Indian on board as a result of tough selection. «We cook partners, and share generously our culture with meals in such a way that our sailors do not miss them. Only together could we fulfil tasks facing us». their homeland, — says an Indian cook showing big There is no doubt that the Vikramaditya pans exuding a breathtaking smell of Indian spices. aircraft carrier has written a particular page in the Separate menus are offered for vegetarians and biographies of many inhabitants of Severodvinsk. meat-eaters. A team of Indian cooks keep watch It will remain for ever a symbol of Indian-Russian from 01.30 am till 10 pm: changing one another and friendship and a bright example of endurance, ensuring that the crew never remain hungry. The mutual understanding and our overcoming menus are planned for 14 days in advance providing difficulties together, shoulder to shoulder.

USC №4(17), 2013 19 EVENTS OF THE CENTURY WINGED POWER: faster INS Vikramaditya is the largest ship ever transferred by a country- than developer to another country under a foreign military technical cooperation agreement. What’s more, Project 11430 aircraft carrier sound, is the most advanced, as of today, surface ship ever manufactured by Russian shipbuilders. By its right properties and, in particular, qualities and performance of its onboard systems, INS Vikramaditya surpasses the Soviet Union’s Navy on target Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft- carrying cruiser, the only aircraft Ultramodern MiGs carrier in our Navy. are the main combat power of the new aircraft carrier Vladimir Karnozov, military expert

owever, the Indian aircraft carrier will lose shortly one of its advantages over the Admiral Kuznetsov cruiser, Н namely, the capability to carry more advanced (compared with the Su‑33s) multi-role fighters of the MiG‑29K/KUB type. Having closely watched the progress made by the Indian Navy in mastering these advanced aircraft after receiving their first batch in 2009, the Russian Ministry of Defence ordered 24 such aircraft for the Russian Air Force in February 2012. As a result, on 25 November 2013 JSC “Russian Aircraft Corporation “MiG” issued a press release informing that the Rus- sian Naval Aviation had taken delivery of the first batch of serially-built shipborne fight- ers including two single-seat MiG‑29Ks and two twin-seat MiG‑29KUBs. Industry-owned fighters of this type had already made a number of test flights from the Kuznetsov’s deck. It haappened in 2009, only two years after the MiG‑29K aircraft modified

20 USC №4(17), 2013 USC №4(17), 2013 21 EVENTS OF THE CENTURY

to the requirements of the Indian customer had made its maiden flight. The MiG Russian Aircraft Corporation highly values its products. “The MiG‑29K and MiG‑29KUB shipborne multi-role fighters of the 4th++ generation are designed to provide air defence of naval task groups, to win air superi- ority, to engage surface and ground targets with high-precision guided weapons day and night under any weather conditions. Both aircraft feature an improved airframe structure with the high content of composites, a quadruple inte- grated digital fly-by-wire control system, greatly reduced radar signature, increased fuel capac- ity and combat payload, and open architecture avionics”. What is being said about the aircraft in In- dia? The Indian national television channel NDTV has run an item about aircraft carriers which treats this topic in detail. “Combat capabilities of the new INS Vikrama- ditya aircraft carrier are mostly determined by the MiG‑29K’s characteristics. It is one of the most advanced supersonic shipborne fight- ers in the world. Its navalised version notably differs from the MiG‑29 basic fighter which has been operated by the Indian Air Force since the mid‑1980s. The shipborne version is equipped with a more powerful radar capable of acquiring and simultaneously tracking ten air targets and guiding missiles on four of them. The radar can guided missiles, Kh‑31A and Kh‑35E anti-ship track a destroyer-type target at a range of up to guided missiles, KAB‑500Kr and KAB‑500OD 300 km in the sea surveillance mode. guided air bombs. The aircraft is fitted with a The MiG‑29K fighter is armed with the thermal-imaging target acquisition and track- state-of-the-art arsenal of Russian-made weap- ing system which works together with optical ons designed to engage air, maritime and land- and laser systems and allows pilot to attack air, based targets, namely the RVV-AE and R‑73E maritime and land-based targets with high ac- air-to-air guided missiles, Kh‑31P anti-radar curacy without engaging the radar”.

signer Ivan Kristinov were constantly “TEST PILOTS SHOWED present on board the aircraft carrier. THE HIGHEST LEVEL I cannot but mention outstanding test pilots who perfectly carried out all OF MASTERSHIP” flight missions. In accordance with the prior agree- Sergei Novosyolov, We closely cooperated with the repre- ment, we jointly planned our daily head of production division for military sentatives of aircraft-building compa- flight programmes together with the technical cooperation nies working on the ship, and main- Indian side, Sevmash’s team, the Rus- tained a hotline with Sergei Korotkov, sian Navy crew and test pilots. Every MiG flights were an important part director general of the MiG Corpora- evening, after ending the flights, the in the joint aircraft carrier sea trials tion, during the 80-days period in Russian pilots, their Indian counter- programme. As the joint test pro- 2013 when the aircraft carrier passed parts, Russian Navy crew and repre- gramme coordinator, I can give the through sea trials under the super- sentatives of the industry exchanged highest mark to flight operations in vision of the acceptance team and information and opinions. We were which main active participants were defence representatives. First deputy open to each other. I would like to note the MiG Russian Aircraft Corporation director of the MiG Flight Test Center a special role played by Commander and Kamov Helicopter Company. Sergei Shalnov and chief project de- of the Russian Naval Aviation Major-

22 USC №4(17), 2013 During the TV item the correspondents compare The MIG-29K and MiG-29KUB 4th++ Russian-made systems with the British military equip- generation shipborne multi-role fighters ment operated by the Indian Navy – and not to the lat- are designed to provide air defence of ter’s credit. “INS Viraat aircraft carrier can base just a naval task groups, to win air superiority, few subsonic Sea Harrier-type short take-off and verti- to engage surface and ground targets cal landing aircraft. The aircraft can lift up a relatively with high-precision guided weapons day small combat payload and are very difficult to operate”. and night under any weather conditions. The NDTV channel notes that at the same time India is

General Igor Kozhin, Hero of Russia skills — first in daytime and later in helicopters also took part in the tests. and an active service pilot with many night flight operations. A part of the Their crews performed their job im- flying hours on board aircraft carrier. flight test programme was carried peccably. As a head of the Russian side in the Air out in the presence of Flag Officer We never had issues with, or com- System State Acceptance Commission, Commanding-in-Chief of the India’s plaints about the test organisation — he paid the utmost attention to this Western Naval Command Vice-Admiral everybody worked efficiently and ac- project. Major contribution to the trials Shekhar Sinha who visited the aircraft cording to the joint plan. I would like to was also made by specialists from the carrier together with other Indian express my gratitude to Commander- State Flight Test Center named after high-ranking officers (upon arriving in in-Chief of the Northern Fleet Vladmir Chkalov of the Russian Ministry of De- the Karwar homeport the aircraft car- Korolyov who personally controlled the fence, particularly by Hero of Russia rier joined the naval task force under progress of the Vikramaditya aircraft Colonel Oleg Mutovkin. his command). carrier trials. He assigned all facilities Pilots from the MiG Russian Aircraft Crews of the Kamov helicopters, nick- and personnel of the Northern Fleet Corporation did their job in the highly named “sea workers”, are also worthy that were necessary to grant first-pri- professional manner. Their names of praise. The Ka-27PS search-and- ority support to our project. We were are: Nikolai Diorditsa, Mikhail Bely- rescue helicopter was up in the air even allowed to make use of ranges aev, Andrei Shishov, Sergei Rybnikov. whenever flight tests were conducted. that were most suitable for flights on These aces showed the highest flying The Ka-31P and other Ka-27 type the leg from the ship to airfields.

USC №4(17), 2013 23 EVENTS OF THE CENTURY

building an indigenous aircraft carrier — as INS Vikramaditya completes its voyage from INS Vikrant, in the shipyard of Kochin. This Russia to India”. warship like the Vikramaditya, will also have its Now that’s what Russian shipbuilders say combat power based on the MiG‑29K Russian about their joint work with aviators. fighters. “We are quite happy with the new ship; it is Andrei Dyachkov, made by Russian specialists with full under- director general of the Northern standing of the trade, high professionalism Shipbuilding Centre, a subsidiary company and expertise, – said Chief of Naval Staff of of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. the Indian Navy Admiral Devender Kumar Organising cooperation with aviators Joshi. – They faced a hard task of transforming was an entirely new task for shipbuilders of a heavy cruiser into a beautiful and powerful Severodvinsk. There is a never-ending discus- aircraft carrier. The refurbishment of laid-up sion going on in military services who must ship’s mechanisms, integration of numerous be in charge on the aircraft carrier – airmen modern systems carried out on the basis of or seamen? Airmen insist that the aircraft car- the most advanced technologies, provision of rier is nothing but a floating airfield. Whereas ground support equipment, and organisation seamen consider ship-based aircraft and heli- of the MiG‑29K aircraft and Ka‑31 helicopters copters as a part of the ship’s armament which air operations were realised thanks to high they employ when necessary. This is why at expertise and hard work of many teams from the very beginning we encountered some dif- leading industrial enterprises and active par- ficulties in finding common language and ways ticipation of the Indian and Russian Navies in of cooperation with our leading aviation de- this project. The MiG‑29K fighters and Ka‑31 sign bureaus specialised in naval aircraft. But helicopters make up the core of the warship’s debates went on only during the preparatory combat power. Indian Navy’s aviation has al- phase and dealt mostly with general notions. ready the MiG‑29K aircraft in its inventory. When the practical work started, the differ- Our pilots have completed conversion train- ences disappeared. All specialists worked as ing for the new aircraft type and received flight one team. I would like to make special mention certificates, and they are flying now. The first of the big role played by Sergei Novosyolov squadron fully re-equipped with MiGs (“Black who bore responsibility for the coordination Panthers”) is on combat alert duty. The only and joint realisation of sea and flight trials. He thing that remains yet to be done is to carry managed to coordinate the conduct of both out pilots’ certification allowing them to per- flight tests and sea trials on schedule within form flights from the aircraft carrier deck. the short summer season which is especially This will be done in the near future as soon short in the North.

24 USC №4(17), 2013 India is building its own aircraft carrier — INS Vikrant, in the shipyard in the city carrier. But we had close relations with both of Kochin. This warship, like the Vikramaditya, helicopter and aircraft manufacturers. We had will also have its combat power based on already had a long period of joint work before the MiG-29K Russian fighters. the Vikramaditya project: since the late 1950s all our warships had been carrying the Kamov type helicopters. Our cooperation with the RAC “MiG” will not end after the acceptance of the Vikrama- Igor Leonov, ditya aircraft carrier. As is known, the Rus- executive project supplier sian Ministry of Defence has procured the of the Sevmash Production Association. shipborne MiGs. Their actual deployment will I believe that together with Project depend on the Russian Navy’s plans for build- 11430 aircraft carrier the Indian Navy has ing indigenous aircraft-carrying ships. acquired something else it never had, which can be figuratively called “a long arm”. This is Igor Vilnit, reflected, by the way, in the ship’s motto sug- director general of the Rubin Central gested by seamen themselves: “Strike far, strike Design Bureau for Marine Engineering. sure”. That country operated British-made air- Handing over the aircraft carrier to the for- craft carriers for half a century, and small fleets eign customer is certainly the most important of aircraft based on them had a rather short event today. This is a milestone to which both range of flight. Whereas INS Vikramaditya can sides have travelled long and which they finally base an air wing of up to 24 MiG‑29K/KUB have successfully reached. The ship has been multi-role fighters boasting a 1,500‑km opera- repaired and upgraded in the city which has tional radius. two largest shipyards specialised in building The Russian side tried to base the MiG‑29K and repairing submarines. Practically all sub- and MiG‑29KUB aircraft involved in flight marines built in them have been developed by tests on board the aircraft carrier rather than the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine on the land airfield. Representatives of the Engineering. As a matter of fact, this is why I customer often asked the Russian side for that, am here. The Indian Navy operates submarines and were pleased when the aircraft remained that have been designed by the Rubin Design on the deck or in the hangar of the aircraft car- Bureau and manufactured in the Soviet/Rus- rier. It allowed the Indian personnel to see all sian shipyards. Indian seamen highly value maintenance procedures and pre-flight prepa- our boats and speak well of their technical rations of the aircraft and pilots. characteristics. All Indian Project 877EKM submarines have been recently repaired and Sergei Vlasov, upgraded in the Zvezdochka Repair Centre director general of the Nevskoye where they have received an additional arma- design bureau. ment – cruise missiles. When a conventional We had the closest cooperation with avia- submarine adopts a long-range missile weapon, tion companies during the project implemen- it needs target acquisition and missile guid- tation. It is worthy of note that the contract ance data. Aircraft, including shipborne ones, with the MiG Corporation was concluded at can also be used as external target designa- the same time as the contract for the ship was. tion facilities. Speaking figuratively, modern Although those were two separate contracts, submarines are on friendly terms with both the designers worked on both simultaneously: aircraft and aircraft carriers: they complement the Nevskoye design bureau developed the ship one another. Presently there is no competition and MiG Corporation the aircraft for it. Of between them; in fact they help each other, course, we maintained close communication supplement and work together in order to with each other, for it was practically impos- perform missions assigned by the Ministry of sible to work otherwise. The designers could Defence and Navy in the best possible way. As not have effectively created blueprints of the a result, a bond is formed, which strengthens aircraft carrier without getting technical data national defence. I can state with good reason and characteristics from the manufacturers of that the new aircraft carrier built in Russia is systems and equipment as well as of the air- a good acquisition for the Indian Navy. It will craft and helicopters. This process was a little be a perfect supplement to Russian submarines more different with the Kamov Company than already operated by the Indian Navy. I am with the MiG Corporation since the helicopter confident that we are heading for a big devel- contracts had been concluded earlier, and they opment work on the next generation technolo- were not directly, so to say, tied to the aircraft gies.

USC №4(17), 2013 25 EVENTS OF THE CENTURY

«HER NAME IS VIKRAMADITYA BUT HER HEART IS RUSSIAN» These words about the aircraft carrier were said by an electrician who worked in the group of specialists of the Arktika North Production Association on board the ship We consider the participation of our enterprise in the Admiral Gorshkov heavy aircraft- carrying cruiser modernisation and retrofit project as a Sevmash’s sign of trust in its constant and reliable partner. Never before had Arktika faced such a big volume of work which was to be done for the first time on a surface ship: all our previous projects were connected with nuclear submarines of various types and surface vessels of small displacement. The work also should have corresponded to different technical specifications and specialised production requirements.

Alexander Telepnyov, director general, JSC Arktika Northern Production Association

he ship moored at the Sev- mash Shipyard’s quay in 1999, T and almost immediately elec- tricians went aboard to carry interior-guard duty, trace and Crew troubleshoot cables. training In 2004, after the contract was signed and first drawings started coming in from the design bureau, it became obvious that the industry. Over 700 electricians were Over 700 electricians were it would be impossible to preserve the selected from 1893 applicants who were selected from 1893 applicants old cable network with such a volume of employed in 23 Russian enterprises and who were employed in 23 repairs and upgrading to perform. As a organisations. The total number of Ark- Russian enterprises and result, we saved only the remote control tika’s electricians working on board the organisations. The total number cables that had been laid in conduits and aircraft carrier reached 1,080 persons. of Arktika’s electricians working covered with compound We started pull- All works, including those during sea on board the aircraft carrier ing up cables, installing and connecting and acceptance trials, were performed reached electrical equipment in good time, and according to approved schedules. Ark- by autumn 2009 the ship was ready to tika’s workers closely cooperated with 1,080 persons. receive electric power. When we had only the representatives of the Indian super- begun the cable pulling works, it was hard vising groups from the very beginning of to believe that we would be able to com- the repairs and modernisation works on plete such a large-scale work on schedule the aircraft carrier. Arktika’s workers and work on the ship. One could feel their and with good quality. We were to lay specialists very soon established close professionalism, engineering acumen, 88,847 cable sections 2,375 km long in professional and often friendly relations. expertise and persistence in achieving total, to install and connect about 60,000 On weekends they met with Indians to assigned goals. We can state with con- electrical units. play football, basketball and compete in fidence that the Vikramaditya aircraft At peak stages of the work we suffered other kinds of sports. They enjoyed com- carrier is transferred into safe hands and shortages in electricians, and our office ing to festivities held by cordial Indians. will faithfully serve that friendly country of personnel management had to recruit It must be noted that our foreign in strengthening its military power for a workers from kindred enterprises in colleagues were totally devoted to their long time.

26 USC №4(17), 2013 BOILER PROBLEM In September 2012 defective boilers on fulfil the task before that date. It took slightly the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier which had more than one month additionally for specialists been undergoing trials at that time made of Sevmash and Special Boiler Design Bureau the breaking news in the media. The defect to jointly eliminate minor defects, clean and postponed by one year the planned transfer smooth out inner surfaces of not-demounted of the ship to the Indian Navy. Inspection soon pipes by rolling balls. revealed that there had been a design error At all stages of the project implementation made when selecting padding material for great attention was paid to quality of works heat insulation. Instead of standard padding performed. The shipyard’s quality control material used in Russian boiler installations department, foreign customer’s supervision for heat isolation of brick masonry — team and Russian Defence Ministry’s quality asbestos-containing cardboard, the design control office tightly monitored every procedure. bureau introduced at customer request The project was concluded on 24 May 2013 (a asbestos-free materials that had not been slight delay was caused by the ship docking duly tested. The two sides overcame that when works are forbidden). Upon the conclusion unfortunate incident without making fuss of the work 29 acceptance protocols were publicly. They continued an intensive joint signed. work. Sea trials of the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier were conducted in summer 2013 and showed The Baltic shipyard eliminated defects of the that the new KVG‑3 masonry heat insulator failed boilers within the shortest possible time. did the job impeccably: the ship not only The shipbuilders were assigned the task of reached the speed limit of 29 knots but even commissioning the first four high-pressure gas- surpassed it. turbine boilers before the ship docking date — 16 April 2013. The Baltic shipyard managed to Pavel Goroshkov

Monument to the Gorshkov to appear in Severodvinsk unlikely we will open the site before summer 2014. Here are several things to be considered — the monument should match the architec- ture of the city, be nice for perception, become a stage for special events, be protected from acts of vandalism and several others.” The monument is planned to be installed on the premises of the Adm. Kotov Naval Cadet School in Severodvinsk, which is a “good con- December 3, 2013, Central Naval Portal — tribution to promote patriotism among the The plate of the cruiser Admiral Gorshkov, youth of Severodvinsk”, Deputy Mayor for Wel- removed from the ship’s stempost at the time fare Alexander Usov believes. she was at Sevmash getting ready to become The plate of the cruiser Admiral Gorshkov was the Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya removed from the ship’s stempost at the time will turn into a monument to this Russian she was at Sevmash getting ready to become ship. The monument has already been the Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya and designed and attempts are being made to shipbuilders kept it. Officials of the facility ap- raise funds, the municipality’s press office of proached the administration of Severodvinsk Severodvinsk reported. this spring with the idea to turn it into a monu- ment to commemorate the Russian ship. The “It will set us back around two mln rubles. metal plate incorporates an anchor with a red We are holding talks with entrepreneurs to star and two golden wings. Its weight is 4.5t fund the project”, a spokesperson added. “It is and length — 6.6m.

USC №4(17), 2013 27 COUNTRY’S UNDERWATER SHIELD AHEAD OF ITS TIME Leading Russian submarine developer improving existing submarine projects

28 USC №4(17), 2013 In January 2013, the Rubin 877EKM and 636, was and remains the core area Central Design Bureau for Marine of Rubin’s activities. Engineering (CDB ME) turned 112. For the first time over the last twenty years, Its history is marked with a number our industry is building a series of strategic missile of gold milestones that glorified the submarines. Russia has not built any such a ship since 1990. January 2013 marked the commission- Russian Navy. ing of the lead strategic missile submarine Yury Dolgoruky (Project 955 Borey) by the Russian Navy; the Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Mono- makh are being prepared for commissioning. The development of a sophisticated ship involves a continuous improvement process: as the ship is built during several years, the project originally in- I. Vilnit, corporates the possibility for a phased introduc- Director General tion of new equipment which is developed by of the Central Design Bureau contractors already after a missile-carrying sub- for Marine Engineering Rubin marine is keel-laid. In other words, the second and third boats will differ from the Yury Dolgoruky in he whole world is aware of Shchuka, some parameters. Malyutka, and Leninets class subma- The country’s leadership attaches high prior- rines that heroically countered the Ger- ity to defense industry issues, strengthening the T man Navy during World War II. Stra- defense capacity and army and navy development. tegic nuclear submarines, including In July 2012, the head of State attended the keel- the world’s largest Akula class submarines and laying ceremony for the strategic nuclear-powered still operational Delfin class boats, became the missile submarine Knyaz Vladimir named in hon- Soviet naval nuclear shield and gained glory. The or of the great ruler of Kievan Rus. This is the first Bureau is proud also of its Antey class missile sub- hull in a series of five Project 955A ships, which marines carrying 24 cruise missiles and capable of are the successors to the three completed Project striking enemy aircraft carrier groups. Designing 955 submarines. Severodvinsk-based Sevmash be- non-nuclear submarines, en- gan the construction of the lead boat in this series compassing Projects (the fourth Borey) actually in late 2009. The Borey- 613, 641, A is an improved-performance ship: it is built to

The Borey and Borey-A projects ensure the continued improvement and development of domestic strategic missile-carrying submarine fleet in the next decades.

USC №4(17), 2013 29 COUNTRY’S UNDERWATER SHIELD

an upgrade project incorporating the latest science development. The construction of these ships sug- and technology achievements. Thus, the Borey and gests that our State is capable of keeping its stra- Borey-A projects ensure the continued improve- tegic nuclear forces up to date and implementing ment and development of domestic strategic mis- national-scale sophisticated technology programs sile-carrying submarine fleet in the next decades. by showing the proper political will and providing The Borey-class submarine construction pro- the maximum concentration of resources. gram is a priority for our country, because its According to Rubin, the series construction of goal is to maintain the naval component of our Project 677 non-nuclear submarines is another key nuclear deterrent triad ensuring the security of Russia. The service life of submarines built pre- viously is nearing the end. The new submarine program is balanced in terms of compliance with international commitments and harmonious From a RIA Novosti interview development of nuclear deterrent components. with Sergey SUKHANOV, Rubin CDB ME’s It is coordinated with the availability time of new- chief designer and head of the team build strategic nuclear submarines and the end of responsible for nuclear submarine life of ships that are on patrol today. development. The comparative analysis shows that the Borey with Bulava SLBMs fits perfectly into the line of <…> — What will the fifth cal improvements and a reduc- modern nuclear missile submarines formed by generation submarine look like? tion in their construction costs. American, British and French projects. By careful- To what extent and how it remains ly analyzing the situation that existed in the early — The boat sizes grew from the to be seen. 1990s, the Russian politicians, military, designers first to the third generation and The fifth generation subma- and manufacturers took the right system decisions our Typhoon project, which en- rine will be much less “visible” that laid the foundation of modern deterrent forc- tered the Guinness Book of Re- compared with current boats. es based on the reasonable sufficiency principle. cords as the largest submarine in As to propulsion, new types The successful completion of trials and delivery the world, became the apothe- of propulsion systems may be of the lead Project 955 ship to Russia’s Navy, the osis. The same applies to attack used, including all-electric ones. construction of two follow-on boats and keel-lay- submarines: the Yasen is a rather Changes may touch also other ing of a series of five improved ships (quite a large big ship surpassing its predeces- submarine subsystems, which are series as things go nowadays) are the remarkable sors in size. However, I believe likely to change their traditional achievements of the domestic defense industry that the boats in the future will be configuration in fifth generation symbolizing the beginning of a new phase of its smaller, both due to technologi- ships < … >.

30 USC №4(17), 2013 > No storage of hydrogen on board a submarine and its production for immediate use; > Hydrogen production from conventional diesel fuel common for power plants of non- nuclear submarines; > No need for a significant change in stationing sites’ infrastructure; > Opportunity to develop a series of AIP plants of different power (from low- to high-capacity plants); > No moving parts in the basic cycle; > High efficiency. The adopted technical solutions have been suc- cessfully validated on a bench prototype of the AIP system developed by Rubin designers. Active work is underway to develop a shipborne proto- type. Rubin continues also to develop lithium-ion area in the fulfillment of state defense order. Non- battery project. The introduction of such batteries nuclear boats enjoy steady demand in the global depends on achieving the required parameters, arms market, however competition in this sector is including the electric capacity and the discharge high and we need to work in tough rivalry with current values. Using lithium-ion batteries shows leading European shipbuilders. promise for 50% longer duration of submerged The lead ship St. Petersburg of Project 677, patrols at low speeds and three times longer dura- commissioned by the RF Navy in 2010, is com- tion of submerged run at full speed. pleting its trial operation phase according to a The Russian Navy has issued strict design program approved by the RF Navy Command and specifications for the Project 677 submarine. To the Ministry of Defense. In particular, its key tri- meet them, a new system of cooperation between als in the Northern Fleet’s deep-sea test ranges are equipment developers and manufacturers was scheduled for 2014. The first and second follow-on arranged in Russia. Efforts to establish a viable boats, Kronstadt and Sevastopol, will be outfitted cooperation system at the present stage need to at Admiralty Shipyards according to a modified be augmented. In this context, of particular im- project whose development Rubin has already portance is work being carried out by the United completed. Shipbuilding Corporation, Rostec State Corpora- In May 2013 RF Navy Commander-in-Chief tion and other integrated structures aimed to im- Admiral Viktor Chirkov said that the Russian Navy prove the quality of mass-produced items, distrib- planned to took delivery of the first air-independ- ute and redistribute orders for their production ent propulsion (AIP) system for Project 677 Lada between manufacturers, and re-equip the latter’s submarines in 2015–2016, and the first AIP- facilities. equipped non-nuclear submarine may be commis- High demand for Russian diesel-electric subma- sioned by the Navy in 2016–2017. According to rines led to establishing their series production at the Commander, the first three Lada-class boats Admiralty Shipyards. To date, 55 Rubin-designed will feature a traditional diesel-electric power Kilo class (Project 877/E/EKM/636) submarines plant. All this proves the customer’s desire to pur- have been built and new hulls are laid down. The chase the follow-on Project 677 ships and the fact construction cycle of each such boat is three years. that they hold much promise: an AIP plant will In addition to 23 Kilo-class submarines built enable a submarine to stay submerged continu- for the Soviet Navy, the Russian Ministry of De- ously much longer while maintaining the achieved fense has recently contracted another six Project stealth parameters. 636.3 boats. This improved project has incor- Developing an AIP plant is among Rubin’s porated many innovations, some of which were priorities. Tasks assigned by the Navy, as well as tested on export ships. In addition, at Russian steady world demand for AIP submarines have Navy’s demand, the boats under construction will prompted the Bureau to begin developing such a be equipped with a large number of new and im- cost-effective and easy-to-use plant. proved systems. Navy’s interest is due to high Rubin is working on an AIP project based on operating reliability of the base project submarines fuel-cell technology. Hydrogen will be directly and the fact that their large-scale construction produced on board the submarine using the diesel helped reduce production costs and optimize fuel reforming process. The AIP plant being devel- processes for maintaining previously built ships oped offers undeniable advantages, including: battle-ready. Nevertheless, in the long term the

USC №4(17), 2013 31 COUNTRY’S UNDERWATER SHIELD

Kilo class submarines will be superseded by Pro- The Amur-1650 submarine project offers ject 677 and its export version Amur‑1650. certain flexibility which, taking into account The Amur‑1650 submarine project offers cer- the current submarine design technologies, tain flexibility which, taking into account the which Rubin is possessing, makes it possible current submarine design technologies, which to tailor the ships to the specific requirements Rubin is possessing, makes it possible to tailor the of the customer country’s Navy. ships to the specific requirements of the customer country’s Navy. For example, the AIP version of this project is proposed in the Project 75 (I) tender to build six submarines for the Indian Navy. The baseline Amur‑1650 project can be considered as a basis for Amur-class submarines having a number of key From a RIA Novosti interview with S. SUKHANOV features to fully meet the requirements of the most demanding customer. Is Rubin already working on fifth- generation ship. It has always There are several modification variants that can generation submarines? been the case with the previous be used in developing Amur-class submarines. four generations. First, using the equipment and electronic equip- — Concept studies on promising To make this happen, concept ment used in Amur‑1650 submarines, it is possible ships are constantly carried out studies have to enter the research to develop boats having substantially different dis- at Rubin CDB and other design & development phase. This will placement and basic performance characteristics. bureaus. take several years. Then the de- In particular, provision is made to develop sub- sign, working drawing develop- marines with a displacement of up to 1,000 tons, — When a fifth generation may ment and construction phases will which will be mainly focused on inshore opera- be available? follow — at least seven or eight tions. years. In addition, the base set of torpedo-missile — Today, the lead Borey boat has According to such standard calcu- weapons adopted for Amur‑1650 boats may be been commissioned. Upon com- lations, keel-lying of a fifth gen- modified: for example, it is possible to reduce the pletion of its service life, we will eration ship may happen in ten to number of torpedo tubes from six to four and ad- need to raise the flag on a fifth fifteen years.

32 USC №4(17), 2013 Deputy Director General of JSC Rosoboronexport Viktor KOMARDIN

we simply have no equal in cooperation in these areas, Russia’s extremely care- armament. No one else as Russia. Despite India’s ful attention to cooperation has such universal missile ongoing diversification policy, with India in general, which systems as the Club-S or all the key projects are real- our Indian partners noted. BrahMos capable of strik- ized jointly with us — wheth- Organizers announced the ing underwater, surface and er it’s a fifth generation show quite late, nevertheless ground targets. We can in- fighter or BrahMos missiles. we managed to get ready and stall any of them. A very revealing fact: jointly come. By the way, talks with “In the upcoming Indian ten- Second, we are ready for with the United Shipbuild- major Indian manufacturers der for design and construc- large-scale cooperation ing Corporation and Rubin held during the exhibition of- tion of Project P‑75 (I) sub- with Indian manufacturers, Central Design Bureau for ten touched upon the issues marines, we will offer a ship technology transfer, joint de- Marine Engineering, we of manufacture of separate based on the Amur‑1650 velopment of separate sys- participated in NAMEXPO units and systems for the submarine, which will surely tems (including the newest 2013, India’s first naval show P‑75 (I) project. Therefore, be number one. AIP plant), and establishing held in the city of Cochin. if we evaluate the coming licensed production. India’s Aside from Russia, none of tender from all sides — tech- First, if we talk about the new procurement policy im- our potential competitors in nical, industrial, and even technical component, we’re plies this; in addition, no the upcoming tender was political — Russia’s chance ready to meet all the Indian country has such extensive represented there at the of success is reasonably very side’s requirements. And and successful experience of state level. This indicates high.”

ditionally install (on customer request) vertical Time does not stand still. Russian shipbuild- launchers accommodating various cruise mis- ing industry has developed the fourth generation siles. For navies of those countries, which do not submarines. Here Rubin’s product lineup includes consider the submarine threat to be probable, the Project 955 nuclear missile-carrying submarine option of reducing the number of torpedo tubes and Project 677 diesel-electric boat (they are now to the minimum required to perform self-defense under series construction). Simultaneously, the functions may be optimal. Project Amur‑950 is a Bureau is developing the fifth generation ships. promising submarine representing the Amur fam- The lifespan of these boats is about fifty years. ily. This boat has 10 universal vertical launchers This period includes the following phases: design for any of CLUB-S missile system’s cruise mis- study, R&D work, technical and detailed design, siles. A capability for a ten-missile salvo with a construction of the lead ship, its trials, changes minimum interval between launches is provided. to follow-on ship documentation, construction of Owing to its relatively small displacement, the boats in a series, boat operation, and finally de- Amur‑950 has an advantage over similar subma- commissioning and disposal. That is why design- rines in cost/performance ratio. ers working on a new project must think carefully With a wide lineup of its submarines (being in about everything and take only the right decisions service, under construction and under design), Ru- beginning from the earliest design phase. bin holds the leading position in establishing the The concept definition process for a ship of the system for training submariners for the Russian future takes into account comments and sugges- Navy and other navies. Moreover, for the national tions coming during the operation of previous Navy Training Centers, the Bureau has developed generation submarines and the lead submarines training aids (including a set of training simula- of new projects. Research work to determine the tors) designed to provide training of submariners configuration of the newest ship is carried out. for operating Rubin-designed submarines. As Along with prime design bureaus, the process in- prime contractor, the Bureau has designed a basic volves the RF Ministry of Defense and Navy’s set of training aids for Project 677 submarines, a specialized institutes. The contractors — major damage control and light diving training facility. developers of sonar systems, electronics, and mis- Design of a training system for Borey-class subma- sile and torpedo weapons — also contribute to the rines has begun and the design documentation for conceptualization of promising systems and the a training system for Project 636.3 submarine has configuration of the ship of the future designed to been prepared. be the pride of modern Russia.

USC №4(17), 2013 33 INTERACTION VECTOR

PARTNERS FOR CENTURIES Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center develops and improves the close strategic relationship with India

The beginning of the 20th century was marked by the biggest event in the history of Russian-Indian relations, Russia’s first official mission opened in December 1900 in Bombay. This laid the foundation for long, comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two great countries in all fields of economics, science, technology and culture.

Ilya Uzky, technical cooperation between the Zvezdochka Eugene Gladyshev, Ship Repair Center and the Indian Navy, its main Ship Repair Center Zvezdochka foreign partner. Zvezdochka is a leading Russian shipyard ussia and India have accumulated vast engaged in repair, upgrade and retrofitting of experience of working together over submarines and surface ships of various classes. R the entire period of the relationship Since its foundation in 1954 in the far north of based on the principles of mutual re- Russia in the city of Severodvinsk, Zvezdochka spect, trust and equality, and mainte- has been accomplishing its main mission — to nance of geopolitical stability and peace. Precise- return advanced capabilities warships to service. ly these principles formed the basis of military- The end of the last century saw the beginning

34 USC №4(17), 2013 Given the geo-political changes and instability changes and instability of the global economy, of the global economy, special attention special attention is paid now to improving the is paid today to improving the level of level of technical availability of ships and subma- technical availability of ships and submarines rines and reducing their operating costs. and reducing their operating costs. In this context Zvezdochka’s successful prac- tice in organizing annual servicing of more than 300 Russian Navy’s surface ships and submarines should be noted. The ship condition-based main- of a new era at Zvezdochka that left a mark in the tenance system concept involving the use of in- hearts of Severodvinsk shipbuilders and Indian tegrated logistics support tools is being formed. mariners. In 1997–1999, the shipyard carried It will enable automatic monitoring of the equip- out repair of the submarine INS Sindhuvir thus ment life and parameters, as well as advance proving its “export potential” and laying the foun- planning of preventive maintenance, spare parts dation for strong friendship and durable partner- and impending expenses. ship with the Indian Navy. After a certain adaptation, these and other For more than fifteen years Zvezdochka has measures can be applied to Indian submarines been maintaining the status of prime contractor and surface ships. Coupled with the traditional for repair and retrofit of the Indian Navy’s Kilo- approaches, the up-to-date concept will help class diesel-electric submarines. Over the years maintain a high level of equipment availability the Indian partners have repeatedly drawn atten- while reducing operating costs over the long tion to the unique Russian ship repair traditions, term. and we, for our part, have always been attentive A systematic mutual preparation for carry- to new proposals of our Indian friends and re- ing out second medium repairs coupled with spected their high professionalism. life extension for Kilo-class submarines is an Among other things, Zvezdochka is a reliable example of constructive and systematic interac- partner for the Indian Navy in operational supply tion between Zvezdochka and the Indian Navy in of spare parts and materials needed for after-sale the field of new approaches to after-sale service. services of submarines and surface ships. Despite Zvezdochka is currently the single enterprise in the difficulties stemming from the specific Indian Russia having practical experience in extending requirements for defense procurement, the Ship the life of submarines. Since 2010 Zvezdochka Repair Center’s experts have no doubt that they has been holding negotiations and consultations will be able to continue to provide an uninter- with India on the subject. Based on preliminary rupted supply of the necessary assets. meetings, the Ship Repair Center has found the However, the realities of today require con- opportunity to receive two Indian submarines in tractor not only to perform work at customer 2015 for medium repair and life extension, de- requests to high quality standards and on time, spite its significant workload with government but also to seek further ways for multi-vector co- orders. In addition, Zvezdochka has confirmed its operation and integration. Given the geo-political willingness to assist the Indian Navy with imple-

USC №4(17), 2013 35 INTERACTION VECTOR

to draw particular attention to Russia’s advanced and competitive proposals for rescue equipment, including specialized vessels for deep-sea salvage and diving operations, deep submergence res- cue vehicles and special equipment. This equip- ment offers high performance and operational characteristics and can be built at Zvezdochka and delivered to customers on a tight schedule. Given the pace of deepening Russian-Indian trade, economic, technological and defense co- operation, it is necessary to pay special attention to setting up joint enterprises and service cent- ers for servicing the Indian Navy’s ships. Success and real results in this area can only be achieved through pooling interests, efforts and resources of the parties. We are also pleased with the successes of our colleagues, contributing to the development of military-technical cooperation between Russia and India. The aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, menting second medium repairs and Zvezdochka which has received a new lease of life at Sevmash, life extension for Kilo-class submarines is currently has been handed over to the Indian side, the mass at Indian shipyards. This is a separate, the single enterprise media occasionally reports about interest in leas- large-scale, challenging, but necessary in Russia having ing a second Project 971I submarine. work carried out under cooperation of practical experience Licensed production and joint development technological and production poten- in extending the life of advanced weapons that gradually supersede tials of Russia and India. of submarines. the simple purchase of military products are Integrated after-sale service for In- becoming the key areas of cooperation. In this dian Navy’s Projects 11356, 1241RE/ regard, the entire Russian defense industry hopes PE, 266ME, 1258E, 61ME surface ships for BrahMos missile projects, the joint develop- also holds promise for the future. With respect ment of a 5th generation multipurpose fighter to these ships, a full range of services can be of- and the MTA multi-role transport aircraft. fered — from repair & upgrade to the supply of There is no doubt that the resulting experience spare parts, maintenance documentation and should be widely used in the future by all partici- training of Indian specialists in repair. pants of military-technical cooperation. Zvezdochka pays special attention to the In- In conclusion, I’d like to say that high-trust dian partner also in the course of works involv- relationship between Zvezdochka and the In- ing Rosoboronexport. At the same time I’d like dian Navy, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, makes us optimistic about the future. The Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center is currently on the threshold of transiting to an entirely new character of relations with the Indian partners, namely to establishing its own representative office in the country. Like more than a century ago, this event will enhance the efficiency of cooperation and will make it possible to receive first-hand objective information about the needs and proposals of the parties. By expanding the scope of interaction, we gain new business partners and friends. But we should never forget old tried-and-true friends tied with us by common interests and long-term good re- lationships, friends able to really help and learn much. The relationship between Zvezdochka and the Indian Navy is an example of true partnership and makes a strategic contribution to the rich history of military-technical cooperation between Russia and India.

36 USC №4(17), 2013

SOUND PARTNERSHIP

Project SRK-2100 BY COMBINED Coast Guard ship Experience and prospects for cooperation between EFFORTS SPKB and Indian Navy JSC Severnoye Design Bureau (SPKB) has been cooperating with the Indian Navy for nearly forty years. Various forms of collaboration were mastered over this time. The collaboration began in 1975 with the signing of a contract to build Project 61ME frigates according to a SPKB design. The Rajput-class ships have been in service for more than three decades.

V. Spiridopulo, kand to the Indian Navy. This is the last third Director General of the Severnoye Design Bureau ship in the second series of ships of this type, modified taking into account operating expe- any ships for various purposes, in- rience with the first three frigates. Its main cluding Projects 15, 16, 16A, 17, 25, feature is a balanced weapons system, which, 25A, were designed and built with given a limited displacement, enables high mis- M technical assistance from SPKB. The sion performance effectiveness, both in wartime cooperation still continues to date. and peacetime. The frigates have excellent sea The development and construction of six keeping qualities and have proved themselves in Project 11356 ships, which are among the world service. leaders in this class owing to their performance, But time does not stand still. Naval needs and was a major milestone in the joint activities. In the terms for ordering new defense products are 2013, Russia handed over the frigate INS Tri- changing. Competition in the arms market in-

38 USC №4(17), 2013 creases through the extensive use of tendering The development and construction procedures for selecting contractors, as well as a of six Project 11356 ships, which high technical and technological level of products are among the world leaders in this from Indian manufacturers. Another important class owing to their performance, was aspect is the involvement of private companies in a major milestone in the joint activities building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard. On the one hand, a wider range of potential equipment suppliers for new ships allows the customer to select optimal technical solutions, and on the other – raises the level of require- and use of all available subcontractors’ resourc- ments to prime contractor that provides ship es. SPKB’s experience of working together with subsystem integration. SPKB adheres to a flex- Indian counterparts on a modern combat man- ible policy towards the implementation of multi- agement system for the Indian Navy’s Project supplier equipment into development projects. 17 frigates is an example. The proper process Focusing on customer’s requirements, the com- organization has played the most important role pany strives to achieve optimum performance of in the successful fulfillment of the order. There the ship in general. is no doubt that the results of this work have Owing to its involvement in projects imple- good prospects for implementation into the pro- mented at Indian shipyards, SPKB has mastered jects of new ships of various classes. the features of the technologies applied here and Among the possible areas for expansion of the thus ensured the adaption of its new develop- joint activities, the development of patrol ships ments to shipyards’ capabilities. Communica- for the Navy and Coast Guard looks promising. tion with the Navy representatives operating the The tendency towards commissioning of rela- ships helps SPKB designers take into account tively inexpensive patrol vessels with a limited the Navy requirements in new projects. displacement (up to 2,000 tons) has been ob- The need for closer partnership during the served recently in most of developed countries. development of new equipment generates new These fuel-efficient and seaworthy ships have forms of cooperation, promotes the use of state- a limited basic mix of armaments sufficient to of-the-art project work breakdown technologies. effectively handle peacetime missions, includ- One of the main issues in implementing complex ing defense of shipping, protection of the state projects is the organization of work breakdown borders, territorial waters, continental shelf, and Project 61ME frigate

USC №4(17), 2013 39 SOUND PARTNERSHIP

Project 22460E rescue and salvage operations. One of the main Given market needs, the Severnoye Design patrol ship features of the patrol vessels is the possibility Bureau has developed a lineup of 1000 to 2500 for basing a light helicopter or a helicopter type ton multimission corvettes and 500 to 1000 ton UAV, for which a hangar/shelter and increased light corvettes, which can be built both in Russia Project 11356 frigate fuel capacity are provided. and at customer shipyards. With regard to the economic aspects of pa- trol ship development and the need to minimize technical risks, major efforts have focused on ensuring the ship’s capability to maintain high sustained speed in waves and providing comfort conditions for armaments operation and crew life support. For ships with a limited displacement, these problems are solved through the use of deep V shaped hulls. In addition to improved seagoing performance, such hulls offer good handling. Increased hull beam (compared with the tradi- tional values) allows permanent basing of a light helicopter on a ship displacing about 650 tons. The validity of the chosen solution has been supported by operating experience with sea- proven 500-700 ton patrol ships, designed by SPKB for the Russian Federal Security Service’s Coast Guard and export deliveries. For larger displacement ships in the presented lineup (2,000 tons and larger), it is possible to use hulls with traditional lines, for which cus- tomers have a wealth of operating experience.

40 USC №4(17), 2013 Power plants of the patrol vessels are based In addition to improved seagoing on modern marine diesels allowing a maximum performance, deep V shaped reduction in operating costs and operating crew hulls offer good handling. Increased size. hull beam (compared with the Architectural and layout solutions give the traditional values) allows permanent possibility to vary the mix of armaments in the basing of a light helicopter on board process of series construction and develop ships a 650 ton ship. of various types around a single platform — de- pending on the tasks assigned and market needs. Also of interest is the opportunity of placing additional (removable) equipment on the cor- studied the ways to improve its performance vettes intended for use in search-and-rescue and both during construction of a series of ships peacekeeping operations, as well as when pro- (Project 11356) and modernization of in-service viding assistance in case of accidents and natural ships. Moreover, the capabilities of a ship can be disasters (mobile hospitals, rescue underwater tailored to customer requirements. vehicles, environmental protection systems, etc). During the four decades of fruitful coopera- tion, SPKB has mastered various forms of col- ll of the ship projects presented by laboration with Indian partners and is ready to JSC Severnoye Design Bureau can be respond flexibly to their needs. In this case, the fitted with both Russian- and Indian- desire to provide the naval forces of friendly A made weapon systems and ancillary countries with capabilities needed to effectively equipment sets. Owing to its vast ex- perform their tasks on SPKB-designed ships was perience of cooperation with Indian companies and remains the main thing. in shipbuilding, SPKB can promptly consider With its high science and technology poten- any wishes of the customer and provide techni- tial, modern production facilities, and estab- cal assistance for ship construction at either do- lished relationships with leading research and mestic or customer shipyards. engineering centers and shipbuilding compa- Another area of activities in the field of mil- nies, JSC Severnoye Design Bureau is capable of itary-technical cooperation includes a phased developing high-tech, knowledge-intensive and improvement in fighting capabilities of SPKB- competitive naval ships, as well as promptly re- developed ships. Using the upgrade potential sponding to the demands of time and the needs embodied in the basic project, the Bureau has of both the Russian and foreign navies.

Project 22500 escort ship

USC №4(17), 2013 41 REFLECTIONS ON INDIA

AVATAR: K-43 cruiser submarine. Russky Island and the Eastern Bosphorus Strait are in the background Divine Incarnation Small Ulysses Bay, January 5, 1988

The home country for the legendary captain is on the way to building nuclear-powered Nautiluses

Earlier our magazine published excerpts from the book “Journey Beyond Three Seas. Cruiser Submarine K-43’s Swan Song” (see Issue 2 (15)). Its author is commander of a Project 670 nuclear submarine Alexander TERENOV, who shared his memories of the three years of close cooperation with Indian mariners. The book is entering a new enlarged edition and today we are publishing excerpts from a new chapter in which the famous submariner reflects on modern shipbuilding in India, the country that he has experienced and loved with all his heart.

nce upon a time Crown Prince Dakkar to never set foot on of Bundelkhand, getting excellent tech- the ground. The whole О nical education in Europe, returned world knows him as home and led the Indians’ fight against Captain Nemo. British colonizers. When the last guns The symbolic figure became silent, marking the end of the Sepoy of the great Indian — Rebellion, he together with a handful of faithful engineer, shipbuilder, scientist, oceanographer, people left India and took refuge on a small is- navigator, the first submariner — and the image land in the Pacific Ocean. He built the submarine of his fantastic submarine still excite the imagina- Nautilus from his own drawings here and went tion of shipbuilders and submariners around the on a subsea trip on the seas and oceans in order world.

42 USC №4(17), 2013 Reincarnation of the Chakra, January 23, 2012. The Russian submarine Nerpa took over from the K-43 boat to become a New Avatar in 24 years

A century later, the Jules Verne’s fantasies ment of the industry. And not only India’s Navy gained became reality. The first U.S. nuclear-powered money is important here; precise and the experience submarine Nautilus, beholden much to Admiral systematic use of the administrative in operating Rickover’s engineering and organizational gift, resources to mobilize domestic capital nuclear-powered reached the North Pole under water. Trying to for implementing strategic projects ships within a few chase their American colleagues, Soviet ship- recognized by the country’s leadership years whereas it took builders built the fastest, the most beautiful, the as the priorities is also of importance. our country more largest and the most deep-sea submarines. Our The problem is certainly not simple. For than two decades country built the most numerous nuclear sub- example, in Russia we are still in search to acquire it marine fleet, exceeding the wildest Jules Verne’s of a formula for an effective participa- dreams. Soon the Soviet submariners surpassed tion of private capital in the manage- the Americans in the number of underwater ment of defense assets. However, we world cruises and were able to make the first sur- must remember that the Indians are not only the facing at the geographic North Pole. heirs to virtual Nemo, but also skilled merchants 30 years later after the emergence of the U.S. and, which is equally important, are the inventors Nautilus, India leased its first nuclear boat, of chess, the first and greatest strategy game. A Charlie-Chakra, and within another 25 years — strategic approach to planning is their most criti- the latest Akula-Chakra submarine, which still cal know-how. They are able to tie in the techni- prowls the Indian Ocean. Captains R. Ganesh, S. cal solutions, government objectives and private Anand, R. Sharma, P. Ashokan, S. Roy, and oth- companies’ interests in the long-term national, ers — the worthy heirs to Captain Nemo — came regional and sometimes global-scale projects in around. quite an incredible way. Today, India designs and begins building these A drastic upgrade of the three largest state- technologically sophisticated ships on its own thus owned shipyards, Hindustan Shipyard, Mazagon challenging the world’s shipbuilding leaders. The Dock and Goa Shipyard, is nearing the end. The country’s leadership has realized that creating a private sector is awakening: for example, Larsen strong link between the public shipbuilding sector & Toubro, a private company engaged previously and private companies is the key to the develop- in the construction of houses, ports, airfields,

USC №4(17), 2013 43 REFLECTIONS ON INDIA

bridges, and irrigation systems, has now joined the shipbuilding program. The company has built two ultra-modern shipyards from scratch near Chennai and in Gujarat. Today it is the world’s largest manufacturer of military items — from self-propelled guns and soldier equipage to sub- marines and surface ships. Larsen & Toubro is involved in the most important Indian shipbuild- ing projects and holds licenses to build all types of warships. Pipavav, another private company partici- pating in the Indian shipbuilding program, is building a huge shipyard with the world’s largest 700-meter dry dock in its home Gujarat State. It is known that a special economic zone has been registered for this company. The Indian Government does not give it money directly, but guarantees orders. The Pipavav Shipyard is cur- rently seeking permission to build submarines for the country’s Navy. The company management’s desire to master defense technology is largely driven by the Government’s intention to invest approximately US$ 14-16 billion in the construc- tion of 24 new submarines in the coming 15-20 years. ABG owned cement plants at one time. Know- ing that the country needs to conduct industri- alization in the shortest time, the company has ily in its own shipbuilding industry. As of today, Flying the Indian flag in the Indian ocean with engaged in shipbuilding, too. The ABG Shipyard its defense industry sector is 100% open to pri- CO R. Sharma (Admiral is now manufacturing commercial marine equip- vate Indian capital. Previously India was a simple at present) and XO Arun Kumar (would head the ment of dozen types, tankers, oil rigs, medium- buyer, whereas now it surely demonstrates its most important cell of and small-displacement combatant ships. own developments, becoming a more active and the Naval HQ in several years – the Submarine In line with its national strategy, the country competitive participant in the international mar- Acquisition Department) has moved from simple purchases to the higher ket. Time will tell whether the country is able to and more complex forms of relationships with win over orders from Korean, Chinese and Japa- its partners in military-technical cooperation, nese shipyards to its side. The chances are great, including licenses, co-production, construction especially when there is great demand in the Author and his spouse of various military facilities in India, the imple- domestic market. However, our Indian partners are paying tribute to mentation of many offset programs, joint R&D (like the Russians) will have yet to defeat corrup- national traditions projects, etc. Now the case in point is not the tion to gain the full and last- acquisition of even the most advanced ship or ing victory. aircraft. The question is posed differently: what The designer and captain the national industry, including its research & of the fantastic submarine technology sector, will benefit from each specific Nautilus invented by Jules purchase? For example, when a series of ships Verne would be proud of the or submarines is ordered abroad, a mandatory achievements of his compa- prerequisite is put forward: 30% of the equipment triots who have turned mod- installed already on the first ship should be Indi- ern India into a state with a an-made. The scheme is simple: if ten ships are formidable nuclear missile purchased, two ships shall be built abroad with shield, a powerful ocean- parallel training of Indian professionals, four — going fleet, a fast-growing in India using foreign components and systems, shipbuilding industry, and and the final batch of four ships shall be built ex- a quickly fledging maritime clusively at Indian shipyards with the maximum culture. The Indus civiliza- use of locally manufactured components. India’s tion is rapidly reviving as a ten-year shipbuilding plan provides for the con- global powerhouse. struction of approximately 75 ships and subma- But is the situation with rines exclusively at domestic shipyards. shipbuilding in India so In recent years, India has been investing heav- rosy? I’m not an expert on

44 USC №4(17), 2013 The Indian aircraft strategic planning and backbone projects and I Navy gained the experience in operating nuclear- carrier Viraat (former British Hermes) and hold only limited information about its shipbuild- powered ships within a few years whereas it took the K-43 Chakra ing program taken from published sources. But our country more than two decades to acquire it. submarine, designed to destroy aircraft I care about the fate of the Indian fleet to which Indian designers, planners studied the first nucle- carriers. The surfaced I gave many years of my commander’s period of ar attack submarine K-43 Chakra day and night, submarine is no match in speed for a service. Almost thirty years ago, we were discuss- in the home base, at sea and in the dock, so that carrier, but once she is ing a nuclear submarine construction program to design and build their own nuclear-powered submerged… Picture taken from a Sea King, with the Indian commanders during hot debates ship on its model. The lease ended in 1991. How- the Bay of Bengal, in the wardroom, the control room and on the ever, of 80 well-trained Indian officers (excellent September 1988 bridge of our submarine. We hoped that two dec- engineers with knowledge of the Russian lan- ades later India would have a few nuclear-pow- guage) – three Indian crews that underwent the ered attack submarines. That’s why for me and three-year course of training in the Soviet Union, several of my colleagues watching the emergence a precious core of the domestic naval “nuclear” of India as a maritime power with sympathy and elite, which none country in the Asian region and interest, it is regrettable to see the slow pace im- the Indian Ocean region had – only five or six plementation of this important program. When persons were involved in the ATV program. a lease of the first nuclear submarine Charlie 25 years have elapsed. The Indian Navy of- Top Indian Navy was negotiated in the early 1980s, it was clear ficers — even those who served as lieutenants officials are on the bridge of a submarine. everything: after the prolonged doubts India had aboard Chakra — retired. The widely advertised Leaving the main base decided to develop its own nuclear submarine indigenously-built nuclear-powered ballistic mis- fleet, prepared the infra- sile (SSBN) submarine Arihant has not yet en- structure and trained crews. tered service with the Navy, although more than During the three-year lease the Indian Navy acquired The widely advertised indigenously- extensive experience in us- built nuclear-powered ballistic missile ing nuclear submarines, in- (SSBN) submarine Arihant has not teracting with surface ships yet entered service with the Navy, and aviation, maintenance, although more than 30 years have repairs and docking. ASW elapsed since the political decision on aircraft crews learned how its construction was made. to search and track nuclear submarines. In fact, India’s

USC №4(17), 2013 45 REFLECTIONS ON INDIA

30 years have elapsed since the political decision and protection by diesel-electric at- on its construction was made (it took the USSR 5 tack submarines having increased sub- years to do this). Maybe India takes the example merged endurance. The Indian strate- of modern Russia — we, too, are building for 20- gists have no such “guards” yet meaning 25 years? But we have a strong justification — the that SSBNs may potentially be an easy collapse of the Soviet Union and the break-up of target for enemy ASW forces. It is nec- the former integration systems and cooperation. essary to develop new submarine tac- India had to lease another nuclear submarine, tics, establish protected areas, under- the Akula-Chakra, build a coastal infrastruc- water surveillance and target acquisi- ture on a new site from scratch, train crews and tion systems. All of that can and should maintenance personnel. Indian civilian technical be received in close cooperation with personnel for the new nuclear submarine, which Russia’s Navy and shipbuilding industry. underwent training at a shipyard in Russia, have There is a long overdue need for deep largely changed the place of work, while the lease integration not only in the development of the new Chakra is slowly nearing the end. Is it of the BrahMos family of missiles, but necessary to train another generation of design- also in the design and joint construc- ers and submariners before the next nuclear- tion efforts in high-tech shipbuilding Vice Admiral powered attack ship will appear in India (after all, branches, in even closer cooperation between the Chatterjee, chief more than one year will elapse since the start of Navies of both countries. inspector for nuclear and radiological safety, the contract negotiations to contract realization)? India’s fleet is growing and developing rapidly, and Olga Kalinkina, According to the Indian military, the country is just like this took place in the USSR in the 1970s deputy chief designer- in-waiting of Malakhit still in need of at least 5-6 Akula-type nuclear and 1980s. As a result, the first negative effects attack submarines. But our Navy, too, needs sub- of this revolutionary growth are already evident. marines badly. However, rumors about extending Accidents and collisions of ships through com- cooperation in this area appear regularly in the manders’ fault, that is ship loss cases, became Indian and Russian press, but this is just rumor more frequent. I think that such a sad payment and nothing more. for the accelerated transition to the “higher Another question — why have the Indians im- naval league” was imminent. Chasing its more mediately begun to build an SSBN submarine, advanced rivals, Russia, which once also “panned whereas the whole world was moving “from simple out” its own experience by sacrificing the health to complicated”? SSBN submarines require escort and lives of people in the inevitable accidents, emergencies and disasters, understands the In- dian friends’ problems like no other and is ready I think that a sad payment for the to assist in handling them as soon as possible to accelerated pace of transition to the best of its ability. the “higher naval league” — more At the same time, Indian partners could adopt frequent accidents, emergencies some grains of the Russian experience already and even loss of the ship and some today. In particular, the frequent changes of the crew members — is unfortunately officers in sectors where promising developments inevitable. are under way obviously prevent from moving forward. The lack of permanent training officers

Once a glorious ship. This three-compartment unit will make The K-43 Chakra cruiser submarine people remember the experience of a nuclear-powered is on patrol in the Andaman Sea submarine lease to a foreign state, a move no one has ever between the Nicobar Islands done before. September 2008.

46 USC №4(17), 2013 We have gained vast experience in the operational use of nuclear submarines, their maintenance and repair, the tactics of use in peacetime. And we have paid a high price in blood for this experience and I would not like India to step on the same rake.

at the training centers has a negative impact on training of new crews. Yes, the Indians are great sailors and ships spend most of the time at sea. Unlike other countries in the region, which ferry their new ships and boats built abroad to their permanent bases thousands of miles away on the floating docks and lighters, the Indians conscious- ly make life for the new crew difficult. For exam- ple, all Russian-built Project 11356 frigates, new and upgraded ocean-class submarines leave the shipyard’s piers and go directly on a semi-world cruise with exercises, live firings, proudly show- nuclear-powered submarines have the real oppor- ing the world their naval flag. But the competitor tunity to reach out to the oceans. countries do not stand still: earlier, some 10-15 We have preserved our scientific and manu- years ago, the emergence of a Chinese frigate in facturing capabilities in missile, ice, and aviation the Indian Ocean caused surprise, whereas today technology. Our developments are competitive we are witnessing their presence on a permanent and in demand. An ordinary Russian designer basis. They do not longer restrict themselves by a from any design bureau, an engineer and worker participation in the fight against piracy in the Gulf from any Russian shipyard can teach their for- of Aden, but also train their skills in tracking other eign, including Indian, colleagues. Russian ship- countries’ submarines. Chinese Navy’s forward builders have vast experience, knowledge and operating locations surround the Indian sub- skills in such sophisticated industry niches as the continent and therefore the countries in South and construction of ocean-going nuclear fleet and South-East Asia are rapidly re-equipping their na- unique marine equipment. The country has many val forces. This means, in particular, the presence world-class science and engineering schools with of maritime patrol aircraft against which diesel experience of implementing revolutionary tech- submarines are simply an incapable fighting force. nology projects. We have gained vast experience Who doubts this, may remember the Caribbean in the operational use of nuclear submarines, crisis and the impotence of our diesel-electric sub- their maintenance and repair, the tactics of their marines trying to break the blockade of Cuba. use in peacetime. And we have paid a high price On the other hand, our defense establishment in blood for this experience and I would not like has every reason to believe that the money in- India to step on the same rake. vested in the Russian naval shipbuilding industry How will we deal with our national patrimony? will soon turn into a new quality of the fleet and Will we share this wealth with India, which needs the Russian Navy will be supplemented by ocean- us badly today and not in 20-30 years when it will going ships. We have retrofitted the aircraft carrier become a completely self-sufficient country? Or INS Vikramaditya and today we can confidently will we keep it for internal use while probably say that they are able to build such ships without a losing its shelf life? Will India be able to realize shipyard in Nikolayev or French DCNS. We have that our achievements have been accumulated finally resumed batch production of nuclear-pow- over decades and by the efforts of several genera- ered submarines — the major striking force of the tions? If we help this friendly, forward-looking fleet. After all, if you look at the world map and and hard-working country build a modern naval assess the geographical position of Russia, even an fleet, we will open the door to the widest coop- ignorant person would understand that the forma- eration on effective and safe technologies for de- tions of large surface ships have no future in mod- veloping the resources of the shelf and the oceans ern warfare in the oceanic theaters of operations. of the world in general, still relying on a loyal and At best, they can show Andrew’s flag in peacetime reliable ally in a rapidly changing geopolitical en- (which, of course, is also important), but only vironment.

USC №4(17), 2013 47 SOCIAL PROJECTS

TOWNS FOR SHIPBUILDERS Large-scale construction of new comfortable housing is a major incentive designed to attract young professionals to one of the key sectors of defense industry

In the coming years, Russia’s shipbuilders will have to once again reassert Russia’s status as a great naval power with their work. Under huge state defense order, the United Shipbuilding Corporation’s enterprises are to launch dozens of submarines and surface warships and support vessels by 2020. Together with export orders and delivery of civil vessels, the task becomes really formidable.

Kirill Lavretsky, burg. Under them, 10,000 families of employees JSC USC working at the Corporation’s enterprises located in these regions will receive affordable and com- t is already clear that implementing fortable housing in the coming years. such ambitious plans will require the The main feature of USC’s corporate hous- I industry not just to mobilize the avail- ing programs is that the mortgage loan rates for able workforce, but also to multiply it. employees working in the sectors classified as In order to successfully attract thou- the core ones will be subsidized, both from the sands of young professionals to the enterprises budgets of different levels and by the enterprises and design bureaus, the social status of the themselves. As a result, it is expected that the profession needs to be improved. That’s why the monthly mortgage payments will be twice lower USC has developed a set of corporate mortgage for those who have taken advantage of the cor- programs for those who shore up the naval capa- porate programs compared with that of people bilities of our country by their hard work. who use services of commercial banks. Employ- In June of this year, USC CEO Vladimir ees working in the sectors that are not included Shmakov approved two such programs for en- in the core category will also receive the oppor- terprises located in Severodvinsk and St. Peters- tunity to purchase affordable housing.

48 USC №4(17), 2013 The main feature of USC’s In parallel, work is under The projects (valued at approx. 12 billion corporate housing programs way to reduce the cost of rubles) will be financed at a reduced rate using is that the mortgage loan housing itself being built Sberbank (Savings Bank) credit facilities. More- rates for employees working for USC employees. To this over, an agreement has been reached on the fed- in the sectors classified end, it is supposed that the eral government’s participation in financing the as the core ones will be apartments will be built construction of utilities, which also reduces the subsidized both from the and sold by the Corpora- building cost per square meter. budgets of different levels tion’s specialized subsidiar- The corporate mortgage programs for and by the enterprises ies, which will assume the Severodvinsk and St. Petersburg, approved in themselves. customer/builder, general June of this year, are being implemented at a contractor and mortgage rapid pace. The Northern Housing Center, the center functions. This ap- single customer-developer for USC corporate proach makes it possible mortgage programs, was set up and started to to provide a high degree operate. It is headed by Sergey N. Eliseev, who of control, synchronize all has already implemented a number of major business processes, and also development projects in Russia and abroad. Ac- significantly reduce the cost cording to the approved action plan, the con- of construction and hence struction of the first apartments for shipbuilders the final housing prices for will commence in mid-2014 after design is com- USC enterprises’ employ- pleted. ees. According to USC Cap- Initially, it is planned to build a modern resi- ital Construction Depart- dential complex for 780 apartments in the 209th ment’s estimates, this alone quarter of Severodvinsk. The fully finished will reduce the average building cost per square apartments will be offered to USC enterprises’ meter erected in the Arkhangelsk and Leningrad employees, which will avoid spending time and regions under the corporate mortgage programs money for their arrangement. The residential by 15-20% relative to market prices prevailing complex and its utilities are being designed and today in these regions. the necessary permit documentation is being The use of land owned by the Corporation’s executed. According to estimates, the design enterprises for housing construction has become work should be completed in Q1 of 2014 and another way to reduce costs and improve hous- the construction work is expected to start by ing affordability. As a result, the land acquisi- summer. The USC management has outlined the tion costs are excluded from the total costs thus strict construction deadlines: those Sevmash, also reducing the cost of new build houses. This Zvezdochka and Arktika employees who need approach will supposedly be used primarily in badly to improve their housing conditions are to Severodvinsk: a large number of land sites not celebrate the new home before the end of 2015. involved in the production processes are in USC The residential complex project incorporates subsidiaries’ books here. the most advanced technical solutions, suggesting,

SHIPBUILDERS’ CITY RASSKOLOVO of apartments and other facilities will be minutes to get to either destination by constructed. personal cars or 40-50 minutes by public The Project of a satellite city for USC’s The Shipbuilders’ City will be in transport. employees in St. Petersburg is being Raskolokovo, Leningrad region. Main As soon as the central section of WHSD is implemented in the Leningrad region in facilities of USC and the city are 30-35 km commissioned in 2015-2016 the travelling an area of 80 ha. Over 220 thousand m2 apart, which will let people take 25-30 time will get twice as less.

USC №4(17), 2013 49 SOCIAL PROJECTS

SHIPBUILDERS’ CITY etc. will also be constructed. In particular, the design documentation for CHUZHGORY The satellite city will be a match construction of a whole “town of shipbuilders” in the level of comfort for the in the Primorsky district of the Arkhangelsk The Project of a Shipbuilders’ largest megalopolises in Russia region is being developed. A new satellite town City for USC’s employees and will most certainly boast of Severodvinsk will be built near the village in Severodvinsk is being higher standards than those in of Chuzhgory, in one of the ecologically clean- implemented in the Primorsky Severodvinsk and Arkhangelsk. est places in the region and, moreover, within district, Archangelsk region in an The city will be constructed in transport accessibility from the work place: the area of 460 ha. Chugory, Arkhangelsk region, an distance between Sevmash and Zvezdochka’s The first order of the Project area remarkable for its ecology. checkpoints and the boundaries of the planned will include 250 thousand m2 The facilities Zvezdochka and development site is about 20 kilometers. Thus, of apartments and over 1,200 Sevmash and the city are about people will spend 15-20 minutes to get work cottages for OSK’s employees in 20 km apart, which will let people using private vehicles and 20-25 minutes using Severodvinsk. take 15-20 minutes to get to public transport. Also important is the fact that All key infrastructure facilities, either destination by personal most of the way falls on the M-8 Arkhangelsk- such as schools, kindergartens, cars or 20-25 minutes by public Severodvinsk federal highway, which will be sports and health installations, transport. fully rebuilt. The need to implement such a large-scale project is primarily driven, by a very difficult situation with the utility and social infrastruc- tures in Severodvinsk itself. The city, which was inter alia, the extensive use of prefabricated build- created under harsh conditions in the prewar ing frames. This technology has very significant years as a major shipbuilding center in the Arc- advantages: first, it significantly speeds up the tic is not in a position today to provide defense pace of construction and second, it increases the enterprises’ employees with a decent level of construction quality as the main elements of sup- comfort in everyday life. That is why the United porting structures are manufactured under factory Shipbuilding Corporation has made a policy inspection conditions and with the strict compli- decision with the government’s approval to es- ance with production process requirements. tablish a satellite town of Severodvinsk and the Concurrently with preparing for the con- convenience of living in it will emphasize a high struction of the pilot housing complex, work is social status of defense industry employees. under way to launch large-scale construction. “The town of shipbuilders” will be spread out

50 USC №4(17), 2013 More than 250,000 square meters of Construction of “the town of shipbuilders” housing in low-rise buildings and about is scheduled for 2014-2017. More than 250,000 1,200 individual cottages for large families square meters of housing in the form of low-rise have to be erected outside Severodvinsk buildings and about 1,200 individual cottages over an area of 460 hectares. It is planned for large family employees of USC enterprises to build more than 220,000 square meters in Severodvinsk have to be erected during this of housing in the Leningrad region near period. the village of Rasskolovo over an area Another large-scale comprehensive develop- of about 80 hectares. ment project is being implemented in the Len- ingrad region. It is planned to build more than 220,000 square meters of housing for employees of St. Petersburg shipyards in the Lomonosov district near the village of Rasskolovo over an area of about 80 hectares. Like outside Severodvinsk, the same “livable city” concept will be implemented here (the project provides for schools, kindergartens, etc). However, the architectural design here will be slightly different from that adopted for the Arkhangelsk region. As it turned out to be simply impossible to find a plot of land in the suburbs of the metropolis suitable for extensive low-rise construction, it was necessary to adopt a higher site building density for the project us- ing mostly five-story apartment buildings. How- ever, in this case, an increase in housing density is achieved without compromising the comfort of future residents. The designers have worked over 460 hectares. Its project has incorporated hard to create a harmonious and comfortable the most advanced concepts of world urban- environment for living. The main elements of ity — low-density development, a high coeffi- the transport frame for the satellite town terri- cient of natural and artificial green areas, main tory have been implemented through the devel- infrastructure facilities located within walking opment of broad boulevards convenient for both distance, the availability of a vast parking space. motorists and pedestrians. Shopping and leisure We can already say that the shipbuilders will facilities will be compactly located in the central receive a cozy, green, comfortable city that will part of the town, while the rest social infrastruc- ensure pleasant and convenient living. ture (schools and kindergartens) will be in close For example, given the prevailing demo- proximity to the residential areas they serve. graphic trends, almost half of the territory of the The Northern Housing Center plans to “town of shipbuilders” will be allocated for indi- complete the design of the satellite town in vidual cottages intended for large families. The Rasskolovo by mid-2014, which will make it pos- remaining space will be filled with three-story sible to begin construction no later than the fall apartment buildings corresponding to business of the same year. And the first new occupants class standards as regards their architectural will be able to enter their apartments as early as and planning solutions. Such a plan will result in mid-2015. low-density development that will increase the Construction of satellite towns is an ambi- level of comfort of living. Maximum preserva- tious and exceptional project for the Russian tion and use of the existing natural features (riv- realities. If we talk about corporate construction ers, green areas) as well as artificial landscaping alone, even the largest companies have confined will maintain a clean environment in the town. themselves to the erection of detached houses However, just fresh air is not enough for or apartment complexes to date. And it is urban people, they need comfort, too. It is planned to development that can fundamentally solve the build all necessary social infrastructure facilities problem of creating a convenient and comfort- (schools, kindergartens, sports facilities, medical able urban environment. Furthermore, today facilities, etc). Provision of the population with it’s probably the single way to attract and retain social infrastructure in the new satellite town skilled personnel at enterprises, without which will match the level of the largest cities in Russia it is unthinkable to accomplish the grandiose and will substantially exceed the figures for not tasks facing the Russian shipbuilding industry. only Severodvinsk, but Arkhangelsk as well.

USC №4(17), 2013 51 CAREER BASICS A FREE PASS TO FUTURE The Moscow City Children’s (Youth) Creativity Center is ready to become the initial platform for training of would-be shipbuilders

Valentina Valeryeva ship modeling laboratory has been in operation Moscow school children are contesting. A river here since its foundation in 1936. monitor model launch lthough Moscow is often referred At the laboratory, the children are not only to as a “port of five seas,” however, taught how to craft, but also learn about work- A it is a land city. One can touch the horse ships and hero ships. Wood, cardboard and seamanship here only on the Khimki plastic pieces turn in children’s hands into a model Water Reservoir, where the diesel accompanied by easy and interesting stories. The submarine Novosibirsk Komsomolets had come children design model ships not only for beauty to a few years ago to become a museum, and (mostly sailboats or scale replicas of actual ships), at Poklonnaya Gora (Hill of Respectful Saluta- but also for sports. The guys divide themselves into tion), where a torpedo boat, a river patrol craft “chasers” and “doers,” but most of them prefer all and conning towers of the submarines L-3 and at once. It’s really cool when a set of materials and Shch-307 lie idle as part of display of Soviet naval components turns into even a small but very real equipment. agile ship developing a speed of 50-60 kilometers But there is yet another place in Moscow, per hour. The laboratory has lathes and a compact where the spirit of the sea and romance of ship- test tank, where children can improve their model building has been soaring for long. This is the control skills. Artificial and natural water areas are Moscow Center for Children’s (Youth) Creativity at the disposal of the Center’s trainees. The most located on Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills). A talented of them go to the Russian and even the

52 USC №4(17), 2013 world contests and championships. New champions the Chinese in international competitions, who are honored on the Sparrow Hills every year. have been unrivalled in field events until recently. The educational process is organized thought- Now Russia is literally coming on their heels or, fully and seriously: the beginners learn the basics more specifically, on their “stern.” of ship modeling, get acquainted with the mate- Misha came to the Center at the age of 12 — rials to work with, comprehend the tool-using simply because he lived nearby, at the Mosfil- technique, and meticulously prepare their first movskaya Street, and always liked to tinker with sail and motor models for testing. The Water model airplane, car, and boat assembly kits. After Ship Modeling program is almost a professional a couple years of training in the laboratory he de- training course that combines theory and prac- cided to try himself in building high-speed mod- tice of making model ships. Each trainee com- els: the focus is place here on the aerodynamic pletes two models within one year with which he qualities rather than on the fidelity of design. can participate in contests. Those who success- This year, the guy has entered the “adult” sports fully mastered the course proceed to the Ship category and continues to design and practice Master program. despite the challenging student routine life.

Japanese submarine aircraft carrier model

It’s really cool when a set of materials and components turns into even a small but very real agile ship developing a speed of 50-60 kilometers per hour

A torpedo boat model is being readied for launch

Only authorial programs are used to teach Mikhail has not chosen the uni- children. Many of them were developed by head versity immediately. First he decided of the laboratory Konstantin E. Efimov. He start- to apply to the MADI Moscow State ed to engage in ship modeling at age 12 and came Automobile & Road Technical Univer- to the Center as teacher when he turned 21. He sity, but then still preferred the Water prefers to talk about his trainees and model ships Transport Academy. He attached rather than about himself. He does not favor a a great recommendation from the tutorial manner, but it is felt that the guys hang Center to his USE results. Mikhail’s on his every word. cherished dream is to try their hands — Konstantin Evgenievich taught me every- on a real ship, even as a ship boy. By thing, — says Mikhail Nemchenko, now already the way, the vast majority of students a second year student at the Water Transport in his course are non-Muscovites; a Academy, a would-be shipbuilder. – He always lot of guys, for example, came from patiently explained how something works, helped Tolyatti, there shipbuilders are also in in everything, and took me to contests. I have demand. Mikhail Nemchenko is the World Cup winner, multiple winner of Russian and gained from him ninety-five percent of what I 14-year-old Anton Zhukov is an- International radio-controlled model know, what I can and what I love. other Efimov’s trainee who is a “born competitions, a second-year student at Moscow State Academy of Water And Mikhail, for example, is able to set re- modeler”. Anton built a very serious Transport cords in Russia (he has three of them to his cred- model ship already in his first year, par- it) and win medals at the World Cup (one gold, ticipated with it in competitions where the ac- one bronze and two silver models). He admires curacy of run along the range is evaluated, was a

USC №4(17), 2013 53 CAREER BASICS

Moscow championship medalist. Efimov stresses Creativity. This event is held in cooperation with that it is entirely a merit of Anton himself, be- the famous MAKS Air Show. Its purpose is to cause it is not infrequent that models made select gifted children who are interested in avia- by others and proven themselves in trials are tion, aerospace and aeronautics. The project in- brought to the contests. volved a wide use of information technology and However, all the above was about boys. As the Internet. Vladimir Putin visited the display Sergei Vorobyev, a teacher in the laboratory, told, of the best children’s works, projects and essays there are necessarily three or four girls in each at MAKS three times. This year Prime Minister batch, and many of them turn out to be best later. Dmitry Medvedev, defense industry representa- — Nastya, a very pretty girl with no bloky fea- tives and professional pilots met with the boys in tures, was once among our trainees. But she had Zhukovsky. tremendous character. She was ready to suffer And it’s not just a sign of attention: it shows setbacks, cuts, sometimes cried like any girl, but that the State is encouraging the design and stubbornly replied, “No, I am myself,” to all of my creative activities of children. Now the era of suggestions to help her. Unfortunately, like many engineers has given place to a period when many

Dekabrist submarine model

“Now the era of engineers has given place to a period when many people are working successfully in the virtual space, but have absolutely Alexander Borodin is a winner of the Russian Ship Modeling no practical skills” Championship. The school boy from Moscow has just been awarded the title of Master of Sport following the performance of his own model

guys, Nastya ceased to attend the labo- people are working successfully in the virtual ratory when school loads increased. space, but have absolutely no practical skills. This usually occurs at the age of 13-14 Skilled workers and designers are now as good as years. Often, the parents, too, make the gold. The essence of ship modeling lies precisely choice for the child, believing that it is in devising an idea, bringing it to life and making time to “get serious” and ship modeling your invention work. So we are very interested is a childish infatuation that can not in that our ship modelers, too, get a solid partner earn bread. that would show the children the rugged beauty — I would still advise parents and of the profession, an exciting prospects for do- children not to hurry, not to think that mestic shipbuilding industry. For example, we are additional education is not a profes- ready — of course, with support of the United sion, says Andrey Shashkov, director Shipbuilding Corporation — to organize and of the Center. — I think the immediate implement the all-Russian children’s science and future belongs just to those who have technology project devoted to domestic ship- smart hands or, if you prefer, a handy building. I can even suggest its name – All Hands mind. Our State needs precisely such on Deck! Anton Zhukov is a winner of the Moscow Ship Modeling a rising generation. For example, since Today, our innovative platforms also encom- Championship. The second-class 2007 our Center has been conducting pass the Moscow lyceums and schools where sportsman holds his model after another victory “Clear Prop!” – a Moscow Open Festi- the various additional education clusters (ar- val of Children’s and Youth Technical tistic, scientific, technical, environmental, etc)

54 USC №4(17), 2013 Director of the Moscow Youth Art Center, PhD in pedagogy, Honorary Worker of Physical Culture, Honored coach of Russia Andrey Shashkov

Launching of the simplest sailboat models in a test tank

are being established using practical experience ries. It would also be useful for senior classmen gained by the Center’s teachers. What’s wrong engaged in ship modeling to undergo similar with announcing the call for young shipbuild- anchoring practices at plants or design bureaus. ers? We may well become the organizational and You know, we often arrange short excursions to methodological center of this activity; moreover, the Moscow Ship Repair Plant for our children there’s no reason why we shouldn’t set up a pre- and see how much they want to try the work “to professional training group at the Center for the tooth and feel.” So, maybe we can help them with most talented teenagers in the form of a youth- that? Then it would be easier for many members ful design bureau. Our astronomers, ecologists, of hobby groups on the Sparrow Hills to “lay off and biologists traditionally spend their holidays a fairway” to the profession of the Russian ship- in expeditions, nature reserves, and observato- builder of the twenty-first century.

USC №4(17), 2013 55 ISSUE WATCH

Director of Zelenodolsk Design Bureau’s control. The whole package of on- Moscow representation office Vice Admiral going and planned measures is (retired) Vyacheslav Vasilyev shares his supported by real and cyclic fund- opinion about Issue 3 (16) of the USC’s ing mainly from extra-budgetary magazine. sources. Russia lacks precisely such out-of-the-box and innovative government decisions to boost the IT’S GOOD. shipbuilding industry. I read with great interest the re- view article by USC Vice President, BUT IT COULD Doctor of Engineering Igor Zakharov analyzing the results of IMDS 2013 — though it seems to me that BE BETTER not every shipbuilder who visited the have been a regular reader As to the cover theme of the is- last Naval Show in St. Petersburg will and an interested fan of the sue, I consider it a very good solution agree with certain judgments and es- United Shipbuilding Corpo- to publish the Brazilian Method arti- timates set forth in the article. I The articles about the exploration ration’s corporate magazine cle by Igor Varlamov, ITAR-TASS cor- for several years. respondent in Rio de Janeiro, which of the Arctic and Far Eastern shelf In my opinion, this publication is an tells about the revival and rapid de- by Yuri Shafranik and Arctic explora- unrolled information banner of tech- velopment of the national shipbuild- tion by Vyacheslav Ruksha as well as nology policy in the field of shipbuild- ing industry in Brazil with support and a review of the economic prospects ing pursued by not only the USC, but under control of the state. If you com- for marine renewable power sources the whole Russian shipbuilding indus- pare this article with the head article by Anatoly Gorlov are exceptionally try as well. The magazine is beauti- of the issue — USC Objectives in Civil informative, deeply scientific and cer- fully illustrated, meaningful, filled Shipbuilding, an interview with USC tainly of great interest to all readers of with news and analysis materials Vice President Dmitry Mironenkov — the magazine. about modern shipbuilding and past I believe that the reader will choose I would like to emphasize the arti- experience. Separate issues of the the article by Igor Varlamov. Dmitry cle by Sevmash Shipyard CEO Mikhail magazine timed to international arms Mironenkov gave details of the exist- Budnichenko: in his article, The First exhibitions are a good advertising and ing civil shipbuilding problems (in- Step to the Arctic Shelf, he provided marketing tool for promoting domes- cluding the issue of a rapid growth of details about unique and invaluable tic shipbuilding products in external the order book), provided many scien- experience in building the ice-resist- markets. tific assessments, listed some of the ant platform Prirazlomnaya and Ship- Now, there are some specific com- achievements and even told about the yard’s major projects in the Arctic ex- ments and suggestions concerning future projects in certain areas. How- ploration area. the contents of Issue 3(16). In my ever, after conceiving this interview, I I was impressed by the article He- opinion, the cover theme of the issue got the spontaneous impression that roes of Extreme Depths. I am pleased (Horizons of Civil Shipbuilding) as- little will change in Russia in the next to once again congratulate these sociated with the innovative develop- 20-30 years in this area. brave and courageous people on the ment of civil shipbuilding in Russia re- However, the Igor Varlamov’s arti- 90th anniversary of the domestic hy- flects a national-level priority objec- cle outlines primarily a state approach dronautics. tive. I believe that more attention and (even in another state) to solving the In conclusion, I would recommend space could be given to this topic on problem of development of national the magazine publishers to add an- the pages of the issue. I would like to shipbuilding industry. Seven new other permanent column which would see specific solutions to existing prob- shipyards and more than 600 ships enable to readers to get acquainted lems, including phasing and timing of are being built there under a 7-year with the main provisions of USC De- the process, rather than bare analysis state program and planned training velopment Strategy 2030, approved by of the present situation in civil ship- of shipbuilding specialists is carried the Board of Directors of the Corpora- building in Russia. out under government direction and tion on October 30, 2013.

56 USC №4(17), 2013

READ INSIDE: SOLID TOWNS ADVANTAGES FOR SHIPBUILDERS Russian shipbuilders USC innovative housing on the world market program has started

№ 4 (17) 2013

FEATURE ONE: TRIUMPH OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP