Russia’s Only Tracking Ship Sails After Overhaul

The Marshal Krylov was launched in 1987 and commissioned in 1989

 The only missile range instrumentation ship remaining in service with the Russian Navy has sailed on a tour of duty after almost a year of repairs at the port of Vladivostok, the Russian military said.

Missile range instrumentation ships, or tracking ships, are vessels equipped with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of ballistic missiles and carrier rockets.

“After planned repairs, the Marshal Krylov missile range instrumentation ship from Russia’s Pacific Fleet sailed on October 19 on a mission directly related to its purpose,” the Eastern Military District said in a statement.

On Friday, Russia successfully tested its Topol intercontinental ballistic missile, which hit a designated target in the Pacific “with a high degree of precision.”

The Soviet Navy had eight tracking ships in service, but seven of them were sold for scrap metal after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990’s.

The ship has carried out a variety of missions, including tracking of ballistic missiles tested at their maximum range.

In August 2011, Marshal Krylov tracked Russia’s Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile during its 16th test when the missile successfully hit a designated target in the Pacific Ocean at its full operational range of 9,100 km (5,650 miles).