Last Updated: November 13, 2014

Designation: LHD
Length: 653 ft
Beam: 105 ft
Draft: 21 ft
Displacement: 22,000 tons
Propulsion: 4 Wärtsilä diesel engines,
- 2 PODS (2 Mermaïd elec. motors)
Speed: 18 knots
Crew: 1,060
Troops: 900
Airwing: 30 Rotary
Armament:
- 2 X 8 Ghibka SAM
- 2 X 30mm AK-630 CIWS
- 4 x 10 DP-65 Grenade Launchers
- 8 x 14.5 machine guns
Elevators: 2
Ships in class: 2+2

Vladivostok
Sevastapol

The head of Parliment became the interim President and new elections were held resulting in a leader more aligned with the majority of Ukrainian people and the parliament.

However, the eastern provinces rejected this, and inparticular, the Crimea, which had been ceded to Ukraine by the USSR during the Cold War and was the location of very major and critical Russian NAval facilities. IN February 2014, Russian troops entered the Crimea and secured it for Russia. A referendum was held and passed to seceed from the Ukraine and become a part of Russia. Fighting broke out in two other eastern provinces and it esclated into civil war. Russia supported the separatists against the Ukrainian military. The US and NATO supported the Ukrainian government position and although they did not send military personnel or equipment, they did insitute sanctions against Russia.

As a result of these tensions, on september 3, 2014, France announced that it would not deliver the Vladivostok LHD to Russia, even though it had been launched and was going through sea trials. The French Presidnet announced that with the fighting in eastern Ukraine and the Russian support of separatists, "the conditions for the delivery of the Valdivostock to Russia are not in place." He also indicated that Russian support of separatists was threatening the peace and stability of Western Europe. Even though a cease fir was signed in September, further fighting broke out in early November. There is no definitive schedule for delivering the Vladivostok, or her sister ship, the Sevastapol (which is nearing completion and launch) to Russia.

History:
The Vladivostok Class LHD is a class of LHD that are based on the French Mistral Class LHD. In 2009 the Russians agreed to buy two LHDs from the French with a potential order for two more. This is the first major class of vessels for the Russian Navy contracted to a foreign supplier. The first two vessels are to be built in France, with Russia building the aft 1/3 of the vessels and sending them to France for final assembly. If the Russians succesfully integrate these vessels into their naval forces, then the second two vessels will be completely built in Russia. To that end, the Russians are currently planning on building new shipyards on on Kotlin Island near St. Petersburg.

In early 2012 construction began on the first vessel, the Vladivostok. She was launched in Saint-Nazaire, France on October 15, 2013, and will be inducted into Russian service in December 2014, or early in 2015. The second vessel, the Sevastapol, started construction in June 2013, and should be launched in the fall of 2014, to be commissioned in late 2015 or early in 2016.

The Russians have never operated aany LHD class vessel to date.

Class Data:
The Russian Navy designed changes into the French Mistral class to account for their particular sevice. This included changes to the island and bridge, changes to the sensor suite, a strengthened hull for artic operations, a well deck door that completely encloses the well deck (the French door is open at the top), and changes to the self defensive weapons.

The weapons fit will include Russian built Ghebka anti-air missile systems, AK630 30mm CIWS systems, and DP-65 Grende launchers as well as 14.5mm machine guns.

The Russians plan to outfit the carrier with a mix of navalized Ka-52K Alligator attack helicopters and Ka-29 helicopters for troop transport, Ka-27 helicopters for anti-submarine partol, and Ka-31 helicopters for Aerial Early Warning (AEW). The principle use will be amphibious assault, but the vessels can also serve as the centerpiece for a heavy anti-submarine warfare task force. or for humanitarian efforts in natural deisasters or for evacuation purposes..

The vessels will each displace 21,300 tons and can carry between 16 and 30 helicopters...depending on size of the helos. They can carry up to 900 Marines and their equipment, have a well deck to accomodate up to 4 landing craft and can cruise at 18 knots. They are 653 feet long and 105 ft wide.

The French vessels have seen very successful combat service supporting operations in central Africa, in Libya, and in the fight against Somali pirates. These successes and their utility influenced the Russian decision.

This class, with its proven success, its strong capabilities, and fast modular construction and commissioning, would be a major addition to the Russian fleet and construction methodology by the Russian Navy.