Russian Navy to take delivery of armament support ship Akademik Kovalev by the end of 2014

Severodvinsk, Russia based Zvezdochka Shipyard has launched new generation armament support ship "Akademik Kovalev" of Project 20180, the Ministry of Defense PR office said.
The seagoing armament support ship "Akademik Kovalev" is scheduled to enter service with the Pacific Fleet until the end of 2014.

Ship's displacement is about 6,000 tonnes, complement - about 100 people.

Deputy Commander of the Russian Navy for armament procurement Rear Admiral Viktor Bursuk said at the launching ceremony that the construction of new surface warships and submarines will be accompanied by an upgrade of the support fleet that will support missions of the Navy's ship groupings in the sea.