Image: from Aker Arctic X@AkerArctic
Ivan Papanin (Russian: Иван Папанин) is a Russian icebreaking patrol ship. She is the first vessel built to the Project 23550 design. She was launched in October 2019 and went on sea trials in June 2024. The last estimate for commissioning was the summer of 2025, following ice trials in Franz Josef Land. Ivan Papanin joined the Russian Navy on September 5th, 2025.
The vessels resemble NoCGV Svalbard and Canada’s Harry DeWolf class, but are more heavily armed.
Construction
The vessel was laid down at Admiralty Shipyards in 2017 and launched in 2019, though delivery to the Navy was repeatedly delayed due to import substitution issues.
Launch of the "Ivan Papanin" Lead Ship of the Project 23550 Class Multifunction Icebreaking Patrol Ships. the Ship is to join Russian Northern Fleet. Admiralty Shipyard, Saint-Petersburg, Russia. 25th October 2019. [1078X583] from /u/TunisianDom at #Wars… https://t.co/uptMWCkjX9 pic.twitter.com/rPWlmpnKbS
— WarshipPorn (@WarshipPorn) October 26, 2019
Operation History
The Russian Navy formally commissioned the Ivan Papanin, a Project 23550 patrol icebreaker, during a ceremony in Severomorsk, according to the Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation on September 5.
General characteristics
🇷🇺 The ceremony of handing over the icebreaking patrol ship Ivan Papanin to the Russian Navy took place in Severomorsk. In general, this is a military icebreaker that uses a diesel-electric power plant with two shafts as its drive. pic.twitter.com/UcxGodzGu2
— Neznakomaya❤🇷🇺 (@TomatkaP) September 6, 2025
It displaces around 9,000 tons, measures 114 meters in length, and can reach speeds of up to 18 knots with a 12.6 MW propulsion system. It has an endurance of 70 days and a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles. The crew consists of 49 sailors with accommodation for an additional 47 personnel. The ship can also carry helicopters, drones, and two Raptor-class patrol boats.
Russian Navy ice patrol ship RFS Ivan Papanin. Note 76.2mm main gun. Helicopter-capable. Reportedly fitted for (not with) Kalibr cruise missiles. Has been on sea trials & will commission soon. Photo: Michael Nitz. More pics & report to come in the mag https://t.co/nzHLhNDjbs pic.twitter.com/RLB2tewBmP
— Warships IFR (@WarshipsIFR) April 12, 2025
Armament includes a 76.2 mm AK-176MA automatic naval gun, but the most notable feature is its ability to carry containerized missile systems. The Ivan Papanin can be equipped with up to eight Kalibr-K cruise missiles or Uran anti-ship missiles, significantly enhancing its strike capability far beyond that of a conventional icebreaker.
🇷🇺#Russian #Navy At the Northern Fleet's naval base in Severomorsk, the Navy's flag was solemnly raised at the latest Project 23550 ice-class patrol ship Ivan Papanin built at the JSC Admiralty Shipyards. The ship has been commissioned by the Navy. pic.twitter.com/1cWqfcQTHb
— Capt(N) (@Capt_Navy) September 5, 2025
| History | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Name | Ivan Papanin (Russian: Иван Папанин) |
| Namesake | Ivan Papanin |
| Operator |  Northern Fleet |
| Builder | Admiralty Shipyards (Saint Petersburg) |
| Laid down | 19 April 2017 |
| Launched | 25 October 2019 |
| Commissioned | 5 September 2025 |
| Identification | IMO number: 9898151 |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Project 23550 patrol ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 114 m (374 ft 0 in) |
| Beam | 18 m (59 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 6 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Ice class | RS Arc7 |
| Installed power | 4 × Kolomna 28-9DG diesel generators (4 × 3,500 kW) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
| Range | 10,000 nmi (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Complement | 60 core crew + 50 extra mission crew |
| Armament |
|
| Aviation facilities | Helipad and hangar for Ka-27 helicopter |
References
- Dmitry Zhavoronkov; Valery Butymov (2019-10-25). «Иван Папанин» сошёл со стапелей на «Адмиралтейских верфях» [Ivan Papanin descended from the slipway at the Admiralty Shipyards]. Mil.Press FlotProm (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2019-12-09. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
Корабль способен преодолевать лёд толщиной до 1,7 метра и ходом — до 1 метра (регистровый класс Arc7). Вооружение включает автоматическую артустановку АК-176МА. Кроме того, на борту базируются вертолёт и беспилотные летательные аппараты, а также десантно-штурмовые лодки проекта 02800 и СВП проекта 23321 «Манул». Палубное оборудование — буксирное устройство с тяговым усилием не менее 80 тс и два грузовых электрогидравлических крана грузоподъёмностью около 28 тонн каждый.
- “Ivan Papanin (9898151)”. Equasis. Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- Tyler Rogoway (27 March 2017). “This Is Russia’s Warship Built Specifically For Arctic Fighting”. The Drive. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
- Спуск на воду «Ивана Папанина» состоится в 2019 году. Sudostroenie.info (in Russian). 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- На Коломенском заводе запущено производство основных и вспомогательных дизель-генераторов для патрульного ледокола «Иван Папанин». JSC “Kolomensky Zavod” (in Russian). 21 April 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
- «Русэлпром» запустил в производство электрические машины для ледокола «Иван Папанин». Ruselprom (in Russian). 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
- “Project 23550 Arktika”. Russianships.info. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
- «Адмиралтейские верфи» объяснили сдвиг сроков передачи сторожевых кораблей. RIA Novosti (in Russian). 21 March 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
- Губернатор Андрей Чибис принял участие в церемонии приёма в состав Военно-Морского Флота патрульного корабля ледового класса «Иван Папанин», прошедшей под руководством главкома ВМФ Александра Моисеева в Североморске. Government of the Murmansk region (in Russian). 5 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- АО «АДМИРАЛТЕЙСКИЕ ВЕРФИ» СПУСТИЛО НА ВОДУ ПАТРУЛЬНЫЙ КОРАБЛЬ ЛЕДОВОГО КЛАССА «ИВАН ПАПАНИН» [ADMIRALTY SHIPYARDS JSC LAUNCHED THE PATROL SHIP OF THE ICE CLASS IVAN PAPANIN ON WATER]. Admiralty Shipyards (in Russian). 2019-10-25. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
- Joseph Trevithick (2019-11-14). “Russia Is Eying More Armed Icebreakers After Launching Missile-Toting Arctic Patrol Ship: The Ivan Papanin, the first of the Project 23550 icebreaking warships, is our first look at Russia’s specialized Arctic naval force”. The Drive. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
This comes nearly three weeks after the launch of the first Project 23550 ship, the Ivan Papanin, which will already be able to carry containerized cruise missile launchers. These ships and others in its class may ultimately have a 100mm main gun, instead of a 76mm one as originally planned, too.
- “Russia’s New Combat Icebreaker Starts Sea Trials”. Yahoo! News. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- Патрульный корабль ледового класса “Иван Папанин” планируют сдать летом 2025 года. Sudostroenie.info (in Russian). 5 November 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- “Dailymotion”. Dailymotion. 2025-09-05. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
- Brendan Cole (2019-10-28). “Russia Unveils ‘Unique’ Weaponized Icebreaker as It Eyes Arctic Oil and Gas”. Newsweek magazine. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
Armed with a portable anti-aircraft missile system, the ship named after a prominent Soviet explorer, possesses Kalibr cruise missiles, an electronic warfare system and a helicopter launch pad.
- “Project 23550 Ivan Papanin – patrol icebreaker”. Global Security.
- https://united24media.com/latest-news/russia-deploys-icebreaker-with-kalibr-cruise-missile-capability-blurring-civilian-military-lines-11469
Categories: Patrol vessels of the Russian Navy
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