Yury Ivanov-class intelligence ship explained

The Yuriy Ivanov class (Project 18280) is a type of Russian SIGINT intelligence collection ship. The ship is designed by the JSC Central Design Bureau "Iceberg". The displacement of the ship is more than 4,000 tons, the cruising range not less than and its armament consists of light anti-aircraft weapons.^[1] The ship on its performance characteristics and capabilities is considerably superior to similar vessels of previous generations mainly due to the versatility and high level of automation and systems integration.^[2] The vessels of this class are designed for providing communication. The first ship, Yuriy Ivanov, was laid down in 2004 and was launched on 30 September 2013. The second ship, Ivan Khurs, was launched on 16 May 2017.^[3] Russia originally planned to build at least four such ships by 2020, but this date was later pushed back to 2025.^[4]

A new contract for medium sized intelligence ships (such as project 18280) was signed at Army 2021 forum, possibly for Yury Ivanov-class ships.^[5]

Operational history

In late May 2023, during the military invasion of Ukraine, Russia stated that the Ivan Khurs had been engaged by uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) belonging to Ukraine, with at least one USV being destroyed by weapons on board.^[6] Ukrainian defence intelligence confirmed the strike and said one of the drones had made contact with its target.^[7] On 25 May 2023, a video appeared which shows a USV reaching the ship within a few metres, after which the video feed cuts out. It is likely the USV detonated in very close proximity to the ship.^[8]

Ships

Name	Builders	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Fleet	Status
Yuriy Ivanov	Severnaya Verf, St. Petersburg	27 December 2004	30 September 2013	26 July 2015^[9] ^[10]	Northern Fleet	Active
Ivan Khurs	Severnaya Verf, St. Petersburg	14 November 2013^[11] ^[12]	16 May 2017^[13]	25 June 2018^[14]	Black Sea Fleet	Active, hit by uncrewed vessel in 2023^[15] ^[16]

See also

• List of ships of the Russian Navy
• List of ships of Russia by project number

References

• Возвращение корабля «Иван Хурс» в Севастополь без видимых повреждений стало одной из загадок войны - "The return of the ship "Ivan Khurs" to Sevastopol without visible damage has become one of the mysteries of the war." (www.agents.media, 27 May 2023)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Intelligence Ship Ivan Khurs - Project 18280 / Yuriy Ivanov class . 2023-05-25 . www.kchf.ru.
2. Web site: ВМФ России пополнился новейшим судном связи . The Russian Navy has added a new communications vessel . 27 July 2015 . Armstrade.org . ru.
3. Web site: Severnaya Verf Shipyard launches reconnaissance ship Ivan Khurs of Project 18280 . 16 May 2017 . PortNews.ru.
4. Web site: ВМФ России планирует получить четыре фрегата проекта 22350 до 2025 года . The Russian Navy plans to receive four Project 22350 frigates by 2025 . 16 May 2017 . . ru . 1 May 2021.
5. Web site: ВМФ получит новые средние разведывательные корабли . The Navy will receive new medium reconnaissance ships . . ru . 24 August 2021 . 25 May 2023.
6. News: Altman . Howard . 24 May 2023 . Russia Claims Ukrainian Drone Boats Attacked Its Navy Ship Off Turkey . The Drive . 25 May 2023.
7. Web site: Belobrova . Ekaterina . 2023-05-24 . Ukrainian maritime drones fail to detect Russian reconnaissance ship Ivan Khurs. Video. . 2023-05-25 . Obozrevatel .
8. News: Newdick . Thomas . 25 May 2023 . Drone Boat’s View Of Supposed Attack On Russian Ship Emerges (Updated) . The Drive . 26 May 2023.
9. Web site: ВМФ России пополнился новейшим судном связи "Юрий Иванов . Russian Navy adds new communications ship "Yuri Ivanov" . 26 July 2015 . . ru.
10. Web site: Корабль спецназначения «Юрий Иванов» прибыл на Северный флот . The special purpose ship "Yuri Ivanov" arrived at the Northern Fleet . 16 November 2015 . vpk-news.ru . ru.
11. Web site: Russian Navy's New Ship Launched . 2 October 2013 . Naval Today.
12. Web site: "Северная верфь" заложила фрегат и разведывательный корабль для ВМФ . Severnaya Verf laid down a frigate and a reconnaissance ship for the Navy . 14 November 2013 . flotprom.ru . ru.
13. Web site: Russia launches second Project 18280 intelligence-gathering ship . 17 May 2017 . Naval Today.
14. Web site: Russian Navy commissions 2nd Project 18280 ship Ivan Khurs . 26 June 2018 . Naval Today . 1 July 2018.
15. News: Russia: Warship guarding Black Sea pipelines attacked by uncrewed Ukraine craft . . 23 May 2023 . 26 May 2023.
16. News: Russian reconnaissance ship seemingly hit by unmanned surface vessel, video shows . 25 May 2023 . . 26 May 2023.