NavyRecognition is reporting the launch of the first for a class of ships being built for the Maritime Border Guards of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB, successor of the KGB). The ship is similar in many respect to the projected Offshore Patrol Cutter.
Named “Ocean,” she is reportedly ice strengthened with a displacement of 2,700 tons, a speed of 20 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, and a 60 day endurance. She has a hangar and flight deck, at least two RHIBs, and a 76mm gun. Unlike previous classes used by the Maritime Boarder Guards this is not an adaptation of a Navy design.
When I see ice strengthening mentioned in spec’s I never ever think about ice only,
You don’t need a gun to convey displeasure.
Tough little Icelandic ships ultimately had their way with much more sophisticated Royal Navy frigates. https://chuckhillscgblog.net/2012/09/13/cold-wars-a-bit-of-history/
More than once over at Think Defence during discussions about RN’s OPV I have expressed the opinion that the UK should buy ice strengthened OPVs with a good number of monitors before we should worry about medium guns or indeed an organic helicopter capability.
Many don’t seem to know that at sea nations can be a lot pugnacious than they can be on land or indeed in the air.
This from the German Navy blog Marine Forum, “03 April, RUSSIA, Tender issued for two more Project 22100 („Okean“) Russian border guard patrol vessels … optimized for Arctic patrols … delivery by Dec, 2019.
“(rmks: Type ship POLYARNAYA ZVEZDA launched at Zelenodolsk in May, 2014)”