Vice Admiral Burilichev (research vessel)

History

2025: Transfer to MoD

The Russian military department has replenished its fleet with a new oceanographic research vessel "Vice Admiral Burilichev" of project 22011. The ship was launched at the end of June 2025 at the production facilities of the Vyborg Shipyard for the needs of the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research of the Ministry of Defense.

The descent ceremony was held without widespread coverage MEDIA, , which is typical of the projects of this departmental unit. The laying of the ship took place in February 2021.

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Фото: topwar.ru

The ship was named in memory of the Hero of Russia, Vice Admiral Alexei Burilichev, who for a long time headed the GUGI and made a significant contribution to the development of deep-sea technologies and the country's specialized fleet.

The main purpose of such ships is to carry out research tasks in sea waters. Their functionality includes the study of the bottom surface of the World Ocean, the implementation of rescue missions and the conduct of search activities at significant depths.

According to the publication "Military Review," Western analysts characterize such vessels as reconnaissance platforms capable of monitoring the enemy's underwater infrastructure. Special attention is paid to the possibility of monitoring communication cables laid along the bottom of the seas and oceans.

The appearance of Russian oceanographic ships in the coastal waters of NATO countries traditionally raises concerns among the military command of the alliance. At the same time, specific evidence of intelligence activities by such courts has not yet been provided.

Project 22011 is a series of specialized vessels designed to operate in difficult high seas conditions. Ships of this type are equipped with modern scientific equipment for oceanographic research and deep-sea operations.^[1]

Notes