Center for Strategic Research justifies development efficiency of new nuclear super icebreakers
© RIA Novosti. Vladimir Vyatkin

Center for Strategic Research justifies development efficiency of new nuclear super icebreakers

The Center for Strategic Research has confirmed the efficiency of development costs for the three new-generation nuclear-powered icebreakers in Russia under Project 10510 Leader, according to Rosatomflot Director General Vyacheslav Ruksha.

Rosatomflot ordered research from the Center for Strategic Research to evaluate the demand for the new LK-120 class 120MW nuclear icebreakers in the Lider project for freight operations on the Northern Sea Route, and the impact of the construction and operation on the budget, as well as to develop the project's financial and economic model, RIA Novosti reports.

"We are finishing up our cooperation with the Center for Strategic Research. Their analysis shows the efficiency of development costs of at least three LK-120 class nuclear icebreakers," Ruksha said at the Nuclear Icebreaker Fleet and Arctic Exploration conference at the Kurchatov Institute.

The new nuclear icebreakers are to provide year-round navigation on the Northern Sea Route and expeditions to the Arctic. Thanks to their width, the icebreakers can cut their way through thick ice to make way for heavy-tonnage vessels. It was reported that the first Project 10510 icebreaker would be completed by 2030. Two or three icebreakers will be required for the development of the Arctic. The timeframes and the place of construction for the lead ship are being negotiated.