Russian Navy to receive 4 new amphibious planes by 2013

Berijew Be-42 AlbatrosRussia's Navy will put into operation four new A-42 amphibious planes by 2013, a senior military official said on Friday.

The A-42 (Be-42) amphibious plane is the search and rescue variant of the A-40 Mermaid ASW aircraft, which can be used for reconnaissance and target designation during patrols over coastal and international waters. It is the largest amphibious aircraft in the world.

"The Russian naval aviation will receive four A-42 amphibious planes by 2013, with the first one to be commissioned in 2010," the deputy commander of naval aviation, Maj. Gen. Nikolai Kuklev.

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