On March 7, Project 22220 icebreaker Arctic was docked at St Petersburg shipyard for further nuclear fuel loading. The process of storing nuclear fuel could take place as early as May. The icebraker is set to enter service with the Russina Navy later in 2019. She will be the largest and most powerful icebreaker every constructed. Two other ships of the class – Sibir and Ural – are expeted to enter service with the Navy in 2020 and 2021.
Ships of the class have an overall length of 173m and breadth of 34m. Their design draught is 10.5m and a minimal operating draught is 8.55m. The dual-draught design enable ships to operate in both Arctic waters and mouths of polar rivers. Project 22220 icebreakers have a displacement of 33,540t. Each of them is equipped with two RITM-200 nuclear reactors, with a thermal capacity of 175 MW each.
Meanwhile… the US Coast Guard’s last ocean going icebreaker is broken. And no replacement planned.
will be capable to host Kalibr-cruise missiles and other gadgets)