Ropucha (class) / Project 775

Amphibious Assault Landing Ship

Soviet Union | 1975

"Some twenty-eight total vessels make up the Ropucha-class group of landing ships developed by the Soviet Navy."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/19/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The modern Russian Navy continues to invest resources into fielding an effective amphibious fighting force and manages a healthy stable of amphibious support ship such as the Ropucha-class (Project 775). These landing ships are used in conjunction with other amphibious fighting elements such as marines and vehicles when taking the fight to the enemy from "ship-to-shore". The craft are shallow-draught, measuring just 12.2 feet deep. to better wade to within reach of shorelines and release their fighting cargo. Twenty-eight of the craft were completed with the first examples coming online in 1975 - while there still was a Cold War with the West. The last ships were taken into service in 1991.

The Ropucha-class craft were all constructed at the Stocznia Polnocna Shipyard at Gdansk, Poland during the Cold War period.

The landing ships displace 2,200 tons under standard load and up to 4,100 tons under full load. Each has a length of 369.10 feet with a beam measuring 49.2 feet. Drive power is from 2 x Marine diesels developing 19,200 horsepower to 2 x Shafts under stern. The vessels can reach speeds of 18 knots and range out to 6,100 nautical miles - making them somewhat independent "Blue Water" vessels. Aboard is a crew of about 98-100 personnel.

The hull is drawn up to carry up to 10 combat-laden Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) or 12 wheeled Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) / Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) or even a mixed cargo force of tanks, self-propelled guns, support vehicles, and logistical vehicles. Up to 313 infantry can be hauled or up to 500 tons of useful cargo in the form of supplies for establishing beachheads or supplying inland troops. Cargo is released through large doors found at the bow and stern of the ship with the vehicle deck running the entire length of the vessel.

The Ropucha-class ships have self-defense-minded weaponry installed, particularly to support shoreline actions and defend against low-flying threats. 2 x twin-barreled 57mm AK-257 autocannons are carried (Ropucha I ships only) as is a single 76mm turreted gun fit. To this is added 2 x 30 122mm A-215 series Grad-M rockets for area suppression. Strela-2 (SA-N-5) short-range surface-to-air missile launchers also aid in airspace deterrence. Close-in support is through 2 x 30mm AK-630 digital combat units sporting Gatling-style guns.

Two distinct forms of the Ropucha-class ships are in service - original Project 755 (known as "Ropucha I") vessels numbering twelve and modified/modernized Project 775M (known as "Ropucha II") vessels numbering three. The latter group can carry more infantry and has improved defensive armament to deal with more modern emerging threats.

The Ropucha-class craft are in service with the navies of Russia, Ukraine, and Yemen. Russian types were used in combat during the War in South Ossetia in 2008 against Georgia. Ukraine managed only one ship, U402 Kostiantyn Olshansky, but this example was later captured by Russian forces in its takeover of Crimea from Ukraine. The sole Yemeni example was eventually sold off to private operators.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one sea-going vessel design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for Ropucha (class) / Project 775.

2 x Marine Diesel units developing 19,200 horsepower to 2 x Shafts.
Propulsion

18.0 kts
20.7 mph
Surface Speed

6,093 nm
7,012 miles | 11,285 km
Range

Structure
The bow-to-stern, port-to-starboard physical qualities of Ropucha (class) / Project 775.

95
Personnel
Complement

369.0 ft
112.47 meters
O/A Length

49.2 ft
15.00 meters
Beam

12.1 ft
3.70 meters
Draught

2,200
tons
Displacement

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of Ropucha (class) / Project 775.

2 x 57mm AK-257 twin-gunned turrets (Ropucha I series).
1 x 76mm AK-176 turreted deck gun (Ropucha II series).
2 x 30-shot 122mm A-215 Grad-M rocket launchers.
4 x Strela-2 (SA-N-5) Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launchers.
2 x 30mm AK-630 Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs) (Ropucha II series).

Ships-in-Class (28)
Notable series variants as part of the Ropucha (class) / Project 775 family line as relating to the Ropucha-class / Project 775 group.

28 Vessels Completed.

Operators
Global operator(s) of the Ropucha (class) / Project 775. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national naval warfare listing.

[ Russia; Soviet Union (now Russia); Ukraine (out-of-service); Yemen / South Yemen (out-of-service) ]

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Image of the Ropucha (class) / Project 775

Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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Image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

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Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to seaborne requirements.

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT

BLUE WATER SERVICE

CLOSE-TO-SHORE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon for the Cold War period

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
Ropucha (class) / Project 775 Amphibious Assault Landing Ship appears in the following collections:

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