Russia commissions the Voyevoda rescue ship: Project 23700 design and questions about its dual-use role.
The Voyevoda rescue ship, part of Russia's Project 23700, has attracted attention with its $2.9 million luxury amenities, sparking speculation that it is intended to serve high-ranking officials.
Russia has officially commissioned a new rescue vessel, the Voyevoda, in the Baltic Sea region. Although assigned to the Russian Maritime Rescue Service with the primary mission of search and rescue, the ship is attracting attention from military analysts due to its advanced equipment and amenities, far exceeding the standards of a typical rescue vessel.
Specifications and design of the Voyevoda ship
The Voyevoda is a Project 23700 class vessel, designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau. It is a large patrol vessel with a displacement of 7,500 tons, a length of 111 meters, and a width of 24 meters. Its propulsion system allows it to reach a maximum speed of 22 knots and a range of up to 5,000 miles.
In terms of operational and rescue capabilities, the Voyevoda can carry four small boats and is equipped with a helipad for two helicopters. According to the Maritime Rescue Agency, this vessel is capable of transporting and deploying the most modern search and rescue equipment in the agency's fleet of approximately 80 ships.
Questions arise regarding the $2.9 million luxury interior.
The most controversial aspect of the Voyevoda lies in its interior. Documents from the Yantar Shipyard reveal the vessel boasts "enhanced amenities." Specifically, the ship is equipped with eight residential apartments, each including a bedroom, bathroom, and separate study. Additionally, it features a meeting room, a passenger dining area with a separate service area, and ample space for movement.
Notably, in 2019, the Yantar shipyard announced a contract worth approximately $2.9 million solely for equipping the ship with luxury spaces. This led to speculation in the Russian media that the vessel was actually intended to host high-ranking government officials or function as an exploration yacht.
Alexander Bogdashevsky, director of Ameta, a yacht-building company, commented: "The architecture and functionality of the ship are reminiscent of the currently popular type of adventure yacht. This practical design may be intentional, intended to serve the specific needs of high-ranking officials without being overly ostentatious."
Practical role and combat capabilities
Russia's development of dual-purpose vessels, blurring the lines between civilian and military, is not uncommon. A prime example is the Project 23550 icebreaker, which can be equipped with cannons and cruise missiles. With the Voyevoda, experts believe that if used for diplomatic purposes or to transport officials, the ship would need additional sophisticated communication systems and self-defense equipment to counter threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
However, at present, the Voyevoda is only equipped with basic defense systems. If operating outside Russian waters, the ship is required to be escorted by surface warships to ensure the security of VIPs.
Overall, despite much speculation about its role as a "yacht," Voyevoda is officially operating as an emergency rescue vessel. It is highly likely that this is a multi-purpose state-owned vessel, allowing for the transport of officials or industrial experts to remote areas with a higher level of safety and comfort than usual.
