Russian destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov

Russian destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov Marshal Shaposhnikov (BPK 543) at sea. Career (Russia)   Class and type: Udaloy-class destroyer Name: Marshal Shaposhnikov Launched: 1985 Status: Active General characteristics Displacement: 6,200 t (6,102 long tons) standard 7,900 t (7,775 long tons) full load Length: 534 ft 9 in (162.99 m) Beam: 63 ft 4 in (19.30 m) Draught: 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m) Propulsion: 2 shaft COGAG, 4 gas turbines, 120,000 hp Speed: 35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h) Range: 10,500 nautical miles (19,400 km) at 14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h) Complement: 300 Armament: 2 x 4 SS-N-14 anti submarine missiles 8 x vertical launchers for SA-N-9 surface to air missiles 2 x 1 100 mm guns 4 x 30 mm Gatling guns 2 x Altair CADS-N-1 Kashtan CIWS 2 x 4 553 mm Torpedo tube, Type 53 ASW/ASuW torpedo 2 x RBU-6000 anti submarine rocket launchers Aircraft carried: 2 x Ka-27 'Helix'series helicopters Aviation facilities: Helicopter deck and hangar

Close-up of the "submarine chaser" Admiral Shaposhnikov in 2008.

The Marshal Shaposhnikov (BPK 543) is an Udaloy-class destroyer of the Russian Navy laid down in 1985. The vessel serves in the Russian Pacific Fleet, and is currently undertaking operations to combat piracy off the Somalian coast. Her namesake is Boris Shaposhnikov. In early May 2010, the Marshal Shaposhnikov recaptured the motor tanker MV Moscow University, which had been attacked and seized by pirates east of Socotra Island.

On 6 April 2003, Marshal Shoposhnikov left port, along with Admiral Panteleyev and the tanker Vladir Koechitsky, to start a deployment to the Indian Ocean, where exercises with the Indian Navy were planned for May 2003. A number of Black Sea Fleet ships, plus, possibly, cruise missile submarines, joined the deployment.

Pirate incident

Main article: Action of 6 May 2010

On 6 May 2010, Russian Naval Infantry from the Marshal Shaposhnikov rescued the hijacked tanker MV Moscow University. The entire crew escaped unharmed. The Moscow University had been hijacked by Somali pirates on 5 May 2010. The commandos from the Marshal Shaposhnikov detained 10 pirates and killed one during the release of the tanker.

External links

• Servicemen who freed Russian tanker to be nominated for awards (RIA Novosti)