Article Posted on : - May 22, 2012

Large landing ship 'Ivan Gren.' Photo: JSC Yantar Shipyard.

MOSCOW (BNS): The Yantar shipyard has launched a large landing ship 'Ivan Gren' for the Russian Navy.

The construction of the landing ship which began in 2004 is expected to be completed by 2013, according to a Ria Novosti report.

The project has been delayed due to the lack of financing and skilled workers, it said.

The $160-million vessel is designed for landing operations, transportation of combat vehicles and equipment.

Ivan Gren is capable of carrying 13 main battle tanks, 36 armoured personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles, or a 300-men boarding party.

Along with Mistral-class amphibious ships being built in France, Ivan Gren class ships will form the core of the Russian Navy's landing forces, it added.