The RUBIN Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering has developed the first Russian submersible patrol ship intended for foreign customers. The project has been named STRAZH (SENTRY), but it will be marketed internationally under the Border and Offshore Submersible Sentry (BOSS) designation. The concept reportedly combines the advantages of a submarine and a surface patrol ship.
Offshore Patrol Vessels are relatively inexpensive, which makes them affordable for countries with constrained budgets and interested in updating their fleets. Ships of this type are multi-role and can be used as patrol ships, rescue or research vessels alongside preventing illegal trade, poaching and other law infringements.
The ability to dive provides the vessel with the advantages of discreetly observing suspects while avoiding harsh weather conditions without aborting the mission. A submersible ship can be used as a classical submarine, for Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance as well as other missions. These include the a seabed research capability (greater than that of a surface ship) and acting as an inexpensive training vessel to give crews seagoing experience. BOSS can also help prepare the infrastructure before a country purchases normal submarines at a later stage.
Specifications of the RUBIN BOSS
In its architecture and outline, the ship resembles the WHISKEY class submarines (Project 613) – the most numerous series of the Soviet submarines and very popular with foreign customers. Basic parametres are also much the same, with the surface displacement around 1000 tons with the overall length measuring 60 to 70m (depending on the configuration) with a of crew up to 42 people (including the boarding team). Large pressure-proof containers can be used to store RHIBs for boarding teams or a UAV with up to 3 hours endurance. Its launch sequence would be automated and not require people on the open deck. The customer’s can choose to fit torpedoes, small guided missiles and an auto-cannon.
RUBIN’s non-nuclear submarines have made a significant contribution to naval exports. In the near future, Russia’s submarine technology leader will try promoting BOSS at various events to assess new concept project’s export potential.
Sergey Kirshin