Ivan Gren Landing Ships: On November 29, 2024, the Russian Navy announced plans to upgrade its Ivan Gren-class landing ships with the new Project 117113 Cayman. Developed by the Nevskoye Design Bureau under the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), this new version was introduced at the International Maritime Defense Show “Fleet-2024” in Kronstadt. The Project 117113 Cayman aims to improve the Russian Navy’s ability to carry out troop landings, transport combat vehicles, and move cargo. It includes improvements based on feedback from earlier models.
The upgraded Project 117113 Cayman will have more transport capacity, better defensive systems, and improved compatibility with UAVs and helicopters. It also features a modular design. The ship is equipped with systems to counter drones, air threats, and sea threats.
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According to Armyrecognition, its armament includes AK-630 guns and heavy machine guns for defense, with fire control that can be managed automatically or manually. Changes to the superstructure improve the placement of radar and electronic systems, while modifications to life rafts, boats, and the AK-630M-2 “Duet” system help improve targeting against aerial threats and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).
Project 117113: Overview
The Project 117113 Cayman is a modern amphibious landing ship with a length of 150 meters, width of 19.5 meters, and a draft of 4.5 meters. It has a displacement of 8,000 tons and can achieve a maximum speed of 18 knots. The ship can operate autonomously for up to 30 days.
It has a crew capacity of 120 and can transport 400 marines, 40 armored vehicles, and various helicopters or UAVs. The Cayman features a flight deck that allows for simultaneous helicopter operations, offering increased operational flexibility.
The Ivan Gren-class landing ships, including earlier vessels like Ivan Gren and Pyotr Morgunov, were developed to enhance the Russian Navy’s amphibious capabilities, replacing the older Project 1171 Tapir-class ships that have been in service since the 1960s. The lead ship, Ivan Gren, was laid down in December 2004 at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, launched in May 2012, and commissioned in June 2018.
The second ship, Pyotr Morgunov, was laid down in October 2014 and commissioned in December 2020. These ships, with a displacement of 6,000 tons, can carry up to 13 main battle tanks or 36 armored personnel carriers, along with 300 marines. They are equipped with a hangar for two Ka-27 or Ka-29 helicopters and are powered by Kolomna 10D49 diesel engines, allowing a top speed of 18 knots and a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 16 knots.
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Ivan Gren Landing Ships and Project 11711
The Ivan Gren-class, also known as Project 11711, includes two landing ships designed for amphibious operations. These ships can transport up to 13 main battle tanks or 40 armored vehicles, along with 300 troops.
According to Navalnews, In April 2019, the Russian Navy upgraded the class with two modified ships, Vladimir Andreev and Vasily Trushin. These ships have increased displacement, ranging from 7,000 to 8,000 tons, and larger dimensions. They feature a redesigned superstructure and a longer hull.
The modifications allow them to carry up to four helicopters, including Ka-52K attack helicopters, with the ability to operate two at once. The propulsion system was upgraded to 16D49 diesel engines to support the increased size. These ships can now carry up to 500 marines, double the capacity of the original design.
In 2021, the export version of the Ivan Gren-class, called Project 11711E, was introduced. This version has a displacement of 6,600 tons, a length of 135 meters, and a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 16 knots. It can carry 300 personnel and vehicles such as 13 heavy or 30 light vehicles. It is equipped with AK-630M or AK-630M2 guns, advanced radar systems, and can deploy a 12-tonne helicopter along with three high-speed boats.
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The Russian Navy is also developing Project 23900 amphibious assault ships, designed to replace the canceled Mistral-class ships. The lead ship, Ivan Rogov, was laid down in July 2020. These ships will have a displacement of 40,000 tons, a length of 220 meters, and a beam of 38 meters.
They are designed to carry 900 marines, 75 armored vehicles, and 21 helicopters, including Ka-27, Ka-29, Ka-31, and Ka-52K models. With a propulsion system combining 16D49 diesel engines and M90FR gas turbines, they will have speeds of 22 knots and a range of 6,000 miles. The Russian Navy plans to commission two of these ships in the late 2020s.
