Russia to produce airfoil ships serially after 2015

28.09.2010 Batch production of Russian airfoil ships will be kicked off after 2015, reported RIA Novosti citing Sergei Platonov, director general of Alekseyev Design Bureau. According to him, the concept of Russian "new generation airfoil vessels" will be submitted to the government till Oct 2010. Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov previously said it was planned to build heavy-payload airfoil ships.

According to Platonov, development of airfoil ships with displacement of 50, 100, and 600 tons will be conducted in Russia as the first stage of production. "This is a near-term prospect, in four-five years we could obtain pilot models. We plan to start construction of airfoil vessels with displacement of 2,000-3,000 tons by 2020", informs RIA Novosti citing the director general of Alekseyev Design Bureau. Financing has been already started and includes funds of state arms program, civil maritime engineering program, and defense industry development program.

Prospective ships will have double purpose and could be used by defense ministry in case of military conflict. Designing of airfoil vessels is in progress, added Platonov. One of the projected vessels will be capable to carry 32 Club missiles.

Evgeny Meleshko, the head of quality division of Alekseyev Design Bureau was the first who declared on July 15, 2010 that Russia would resume construction of airfoil ships. According to him, the government has already filed an application for design and development works. Project works will last till 2012, and then will come development works and creation of the first prototype.