MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian Navy will receive over 10 Raptor high-speed patrol boats and special purpose tugs by the end of 2018, the Russian Defense Ministry's press service said Sunday.
"Under the state defense order for 2016-2018, the Russian Defense Ministry and the Leningrad Shipyard 'Pella' have signed contracts on the delivery of Project 03160 Raptor high-speed patrol boats and special purpose raid tugboats of Project 16609 to the Navy. Under the contract, by the end of 2018 over 10 patrol boats and raid tugboats will be built for the Navy," the press service said in a statement.
The Project 16609 tugs are used during raids in coastal areas and during cargo transportation and search and rescue missions. The first tug under this project was deployed with the Russian Navy in 2012.