The Kalashnikov Group of Companies will present models of the latest landing craft BK-16E and other equipment for various purposes during the Expotechnostrazh-2022 exhibition, which opened on Wednesday in St. Petersburg. This was reported to journalists in the press service of the company.
Multi-purpose boat BK-16, presented by the Russian defence company Rybinsk Shipyard, can be used for medical evacuation, transportation and disembarkation of units of up to 19 people on an unequipped coast
“There will be models of the BK-16E high-speed assault landing boat and the BK-10 high-speed assault boat, civilian drones from Zala Aero (part of the Kalashnikov Group of Companies – TASS note): BVS ZALA 421-16E2, BVS ZALA 421-24 and others,” Kalashnikov explained.
The BK-10 assault boat has enjoyed export successes in Africa.
In April 2020, Russia’s Rosoboronexport JSC (part of the Rostec State Corporation) confirmed to Military Africa that it had supplied BK-10 assault boats to a sub-Saharan African nation. At the time, Rostec declined to mention the African customer.
However in November the next year, the Congolese navy confirmed that it has begun operating several BK-10 (Project 02450) assault boats recently acquired from Russia.
Rybinsk Shipyard noted that the multi-purpose boat BK-16 (in the export version BK-16E) was created in the interests of the National Guard, but can be used for medical evacuation, assistance to those in distress, transportation and landing of units of up to 19 people on an unequipped coast. The boat is capable of speeds of more than 83 km/h and can operate in coastal areas, straits, estuaries and lakes both day and night.
The fast and maneuverable BK-16E landing craft operates in sea coastal zones, straits, estuaries and lakes. It can be used for transporting personnel (up to 21 people), landing on an unequipped coast, medical evacuation, and rendering assistance to those in distress.
The length of the boat is 18 meters, the maximum speed it can develop is up to 45 knots.
The boat can also be equipped with weapons: 7.62 and 12.7 caliber machine guns, as well as a 40-mm grenade launcher.