Air wing:
Following a requirement from the Russian Navy, the air wing of the Russian landing ships is increased compared to the French Navy Mistrals. The Vladivostok is designed to accommodate 30 Ka-52K Alligator and Ka-29 helicopters instead of the originally planned 16 helicopters. This will increase the landing and overall power projection capacities of the ships.
Landing craft:
If the Russian Navy selects Russian made landing craft for their Mistrals, they will likely be project 11770 Serna or project 21280 Dyugon, those being the latest landing craft projects in Russia.
Project 11770 Serna has a displacement of 99.7 tons and maximum speed of 30 knots. It can transport one main battle tank or two armored personnel carriers or 92 soldiers.
The larger Dyugon (Project 21280) has a displacement of 280 tons and maximum speed of 35 knots. Dyugon can carry three main battle tanks or five armored personnel carriers. Dyugon may have to be modified as its mast appears to be too tall to be able to fit inside a Mistral class vessel’s well-deck.
However, according to some reports, Russian Navy may be procuring French made L-CAT landing catamaran instead. Designed to land troops and military vehicles from an over-the-horizon amphibious vessel (30 nautical miles/55 km), the L-CAT has a payload of 80 tons with a maximum speed of 30 knots. Its doors at the front and rear simplify the loading and unloading of vehicles.
Weapons:
Vladivostok type Mistrals are set to receive a fully Russian weapons fit.
Self protection against air threats will be fulfilled by two Gibka 3M-47 air defense missile system: One located the bow, port side and another system located at the stern, starboard side.
Two AK-630M CIWS are set to be fitted (bow, starboard side and stern, port side) for close range protection against air and surface threats.
Four DP-65 antisaboteur grenade launchers will be fitted on each side of the vessels. Designed for protection of ships against attacks of underwater combat swimmers at external threats at open anchor stops and bases. The system ensures single-shot and salvo fire with rocket grenades RG-55M and RGS-55.
Other Modifications:
Other notable modifications include:
- Increased hangar height to accomodate the Kamov helicopters
- Modified bridge structure
- Reinforced hull to operate in Arctic zones
- Specific warming devices on deck
- A well-deck door that completly closes the well-deck (on French Mistrals, the well-deck door doesn't reach the top of the well-deck, leaving an opening)
- Several Russian specific systems (note the several radomes placed at different locations in the image shown with the Russian Vladivostok pictured on the left.
