Dyugon-class landing craft
The Dyugon-class landing craft, designated Project 21820 in Russian service, are high-speed amphibious vessels employing air-cavity cushion technology to facilitate rapid transport of troops and heavy equipment to unprepared shorelines for the Russian Navy.[1] Developed by the Alekseev Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoils in Nizhny Novgorod, these craft feature a length of 45 meters, a beam of approximately 8 meters, and a full-load displacement of 280 tons, enabling them to carry up to three main battle tanks or five infantry fighting vehicles, alongside a crew of six personnel.[2][3] Capable of speeds exceeding 35 knots and a range of 500 nautical miles at economical speeds, the vessels are lightly armed with two 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine guns for self-defense.[4][3] Five units have entered service since the mid-2010s, with additional construction planned to enhance Russia's littoral maneuver capabilities, though production has proceeded incrementally due to design refinements and resource allocation priorities.[5]Development and Construction
Project Origins
The Russian Navy's post-2000s military reforms highlighted significant gaps in amphibious capabilities, particularly the lack of versatile landing craft suitable for rapid littoral operations amid shallow waters and contested shores. The 2008 Russo-Georgian War exposed limitations in deploying troops and vehicles efficiently, as existing vessels struggled with speed, draft, and maneuverability in near-shore environments, prompting a doctrinal shift toward smaller, faster units to support power projection without relying on large amphibious ships.[6][7] In response, development of Project 21820, known as the Dyugon class, was initiated around 2008 by the Central Design Bureau for Hydrofoil Ships (TsKB SPK) in Nizhny Novgorod, focusing on air-cavity hull technology to address these deficiencies. This surface-effect design leverages an air cushion under the hull to minimize hydrodynamic drag, enabling empirical gains in speed—targeting over 30 knots—while maintaining shallow drafts for beaching, derived from hydrodynamic principles proven in prior Soviet-era experiments rather than adapting foreign concepts.[8][9] The project's rationale emphasized indigenous innovation for self-reliance, prioritizing vessels capable of delivering armored vehicles and infantry swiftly to support expeditionary needs, with early conceptualization aligning with broader naval modernization efforts under the 2010-2020 armament program. Keel-laying for prototypes began in 2008, reflecting accelerated requirements post-Georgia to fill voids in high-speed utility landing craft beyond outdated classes like the Serna.[9][10]Design and Building Process
The Dyugon-class landing craft, designated Project 21820, featured an iterative design process centered on air-cavity hull technology to minimize frictional resistance and enhance propulsion efficiency, enabling sustained high speeds without excessive fuel consumption.[10] This innovation, derived from experimental model testing, was scaled to a full length of 45 meters, incorporating a planing hull form optimized for amphibious operations.[11] Prototypes and early hulls underwent validation trials in the Caspian Sea during 2013-2014 to refine cavity stability and drag reduction, achieving approximately 20-25% lower resistance compared to conventional planing designs at operational speeds.[12] Construction commenced in 2010 across multiple facilities, including the Volga Shipyard in Volgograd and the Eastern Shipyard (Vostochnaya Verf) in Vladivostok, targeting an initial series of five vessels to meet Russian Navy requirements for rapid littoral deployment.[8] The keel for the lead ship, Denis Davydov (hull number 701), was laid down in January 2012 at the Volga Shipyard, marking the transition from design prototypes to full-scale fabrication.[10] Subsequent hulls followed similar timelines, with launches progressing amid adaptations to integrate domestic propulsion systems. Key engineering challenges arose in scaling air-cavity systems and mating the hull with two M507A-2D diesel engines, each rated at 9,000 horsepower, driving waterjet propulsors for a top speed of 35 knots.[3] Initial sea trials in the Caspian Sea exposed issues with cavity formation at varying loads and engine synchronization, attributed to discrepancies between scaled models and operational hull dynamics, as well as assembly variances at shipyards.[12] These were addressed through iterative modifications relying exclusively on Russian-sourced components, avoiding foreign dependencies and leveraging local industrial expertise to stabilize performance without compromising the craft's 100-ton payload capacity.[1] Delays in hull completion stemmed from these refinements, yet enabled robust adaptations for reliability in diverse sea states.[13]Technical Specifications and Features
Hull and Capacity
The hull of the Dyugon-class landing craft measures 45 meters in length overall, with a beam of 8.6 meters and a draft ranging from 1.9 meters light to 2.2 meters at full load displacement of 280 tons.[5][10] This configuration supports beaching operations on unprepared coastal shores, as the relatively shallow draft minimizes grounding risks while maintaining structural integrity for amphibious assaults.[10] A key structural feature is the air-cavity hull design, which channels air beneath the bottom to form stabilizing cavities, thereby reducing the wetted surface area and frictional drag compared to traditional displacement hulls.[12] This innovation enhances hydrodynamic efficiency, particularly in shallow-water transitions critical to landing craft roles, by decreasing resistance without compromising load-bearing stability.[3] Payload capacity reaches 120-140 tonnes, accommodating configurations such as three T-72 main battle tanks, five BTR-series amphibious armored personnel carriers, or a mix including up to 100 troops.[10][3] The open deck and bow ramp enable rapid unloading directly onto beaches, optimizing tactical deployment by allowing vehicles and personnel to exit forward without reliance on cranes or side doors.[10]Propulsion and Performance
The Dyugon-class landing craft employs a propulsion system consisting of two M507A-2D diesel engines, each rated at 9,000 horsepower, coupled to waterjet propulsors.[3][12] This configuration provides high maneuverability suitable for amphibious operations, with the waterjets enabling operation in shallow waters due to the vessel's low draft of 1.9 meters.[10] Performance metrics include a maximum speed of 35 knots, achieved through the integration of an air cavity system in the hull design, which reduces drag and enhances fuel efficiency during high-speed transits.[3][14] The reported range varies between 500 nautical miles (approximately 926 km) and 900 km at cruising speeds, supporting extended coastal and riverine missions.[12][3] This endurance, combined with the powerplant's output, facilitates rapid deployment in surprise assault scenarios, though the high power demands necessitate robust maintenance to sustain reliability.[10]Armament and Electronics
The Dyugon-class landing craft is equipped with minimal armament consisting of two KPV 14.5 mm heavy machine guns mounted in twin installations, primarily for defense against small boats and personnel threats during approach and unloading phases.[5][3] This configuration eschews missiles, autocannons, or other heavy weaponry to maintain low weight and maximize cargo capacity, aligning with the craft's role as a high-speed transporter reliant on accompanying naval escorts for broader threat neutralization.[10] Electronics aboard the Dyugon-class emphasize essential navigation and fleet coordination over sophisticated combat systems, featuring a marine radar mast for surface detection and collision avoidance in littoral environments, alongside standard radio communication equipment for integration with parent vessels.[10] The absence of advanced electronic countermeasures (ECM) or fire-control radars reflects the platform's coastal operational focus, where proximity to shore and support from larger warships mitigates the need for self-contained defensive electronics.[5]Operational History
Initial Deployments
The lead vessel of the Dyugon class, Ataman Platov (formerly D-105), was commissioned into the Caspian Flotilla in 2010, marking the initial operational entry of the Project 21820 design for high-speed amphibious operations.[15][10][16] This craft participated in flotilla-level exercises focused on rapid shore assaults and cargo delivery in the Caspian Sea, simulating defensive and offensive maneuvers against potential regional threats.[15] Additional Dyugon-class vessels began delivery to the Baltic Fleet in 2013–2014, with commissioning and integration completing by mid-2015, enabling the fleet to conduct joint drills emphasizing quick vehicle and troop deployment.[17][10] These early assignments included snap exercises where the craft offloaded armored vehicles and personnel, validating their air-cavity hull's efficiency in shallow-water operations up to 35 knots.[10] From 2014 to 2018, the vessels' deployments across the Caspian and Baltic commands demonstrated baseline improvements in Russia's littoral maneuverability, supporting up to 140 tonnes of cargo including three main battle tanks per craft in timed assault simulations.[9][10] This period established their utility for uncontested rapid projection without reliance on larger amphibious ships, though limited production constrained wider fleet-wide adoption.[5]Recent Operations and Usage
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Dyugon-class landing craft saw redistribution efforts to bolster amphibious capabilities in contested regions. At least one unit, originally from the Caspian Flotilla, was transferred to the Black Sea, with sightings reported in Sevastopol Bay on June 16, 2022.[18] Ukrainian intelligence noted movements of a Dyugon-class vessel toward Snake Island in late May 2022, aimed at reinforcing Russian positions amid ongoing naval attrition.[19] These deployments supported logistical resupply in the Black Sea theater, leveraging the craft's high speed for operations in areas vulnerable to Ukrainian drone and missile strikes. No Dyugon-class losses have been confirmed in public reports as of October 2025, contrasting with documented sinkings of smaller Serna-class equivalents.[20] Adaptations to emerging threats were evident in upgrades to surviving units. In 2022, the Caspian Flotilla's Ataman Platov (D-105) received the PK-10 Smely decoy dispenser system, enhancing countermeasures against unmanned aerial and surface threats prevalent in the Black Sea since 2022.[5] Concurrently, the Pacific Fleet's Ivan Kartsov maintained operational readiness, contributing to littoral support in far-eastern waters without reported relocations to the Black Sea post-initial transfers. The class's distribution across fleets—including Baltic (Denis Davydov) and Caspian—facilitated distributed logistics, with five units active as of late 2024.[21] Multinational interoperability was demonstrated through Caspian Flotilla activities, where Ataman Platov participated in joint exercises with regional allies, though specific Dyugon-centric events post-2019 remain sparsely documented. In August 2021, the craft supported amphibious demonstrations at the Army-2021 forum, showcasing troop and vehicle delivery capabilities.[22] Overall, the Dyugon-class has enabled faster transit and unloading cycles in littoral denial scenarios compared to legacy Ropucha-class vessels, with speeds exceeding 50 knots permitting reduced exposure times in hostile environments, per design specifications validated in operational contexts.[1] No significant fleet expansions have occurred, with construction of additional hulls stalled beyond prototypes.[5]Ships in Service
Commissioned Vessels
The five commissioned vessels of the Dyugon-class (Project 21820) landing craft were constructed at domestic shipyards for the Russian Navy, with no exports recorded.[5] [10]| Name | Yard No. | Builder | Commissioned | Fleet Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ataman Platov | 811 | Volga Shipyard, Nizhny Novgorod | 2010 | Caspian Flotilla |
| Denis Davydov | 701 | Yaroslavl Shipyard | 23 November 2014 | Baltic Fleet |
| Ivan Kartsov | 4001 | Vostochnaya Verf, Vladivostok | 31 October 2014 | Pacific Fleet |
| Leytenant Rimskiy-Korsakov | 702 | Yaroslavl Shipyard | December 2014 | Baltic Fleet |
| Michman Lermontov | 703 | Yaroslavl Shipyard | December 2014 | Baltic Fleet |