Project 21180M is a series of icebreakers being built for the Russian Navy, developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, intended as a cheaper alternative to the larger and more expensive Project 21180.[1]
In the mid-2010s, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation announced that a fleet of new auxiliary icebreakers would be built for the Russian Navy as part of the ongoing fleet renewal program to replace Soviet-era vessels.[2] However, the initial plans for the construction of four 6000t Project 21180 icebreakers was revised after the lead ship, Ilya Muromets, turned out to be too expensive. Consequently, Vympel Design Bureau developed a revised design, Project 21180M, with about two thirds of the displacement and more limited functionality compared to the bigger vessel.[3] [4]
The construction of the first Project 21180M icebreaker was awarded to Almaz Shipbuilding Company in 2017. The vessel was laid down on 12 December 2018,[5] launched on 24 November 2020,[6] and delivered to Russian Navy on 1 July 2024 after having been towed from Saint Petersburg to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the previous year.[7] [8] Evpatiy Kolovrat, named after the 13th century bogatyr described in The Tale of the Destruction of Ryazan, entered service with the Pacific Fleet on 26 July 2024.[9]
The keel of the second vessel was laid down on 1 September 2023.[10] The vessel will be named Svyatogor after the mythical bogatyr and its delivery to the Northern Fleet is envisaged for 2027.[11]
| Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Fleet | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evpatiy Kolovrat | Almaz Shipbuilding Company | 12 December 2018[12] | 24 November 2020[13] | 1 July 2024 | Pacific Fleet | In service | |
| Svyatogor | Almaz Shipbuilding Company | 1 September 2023 | 2027 (planned) | Northern Fleet | Laid down |