The Russian Navy appears to be planning to buy 6 transparent bathyscaphes, aimed to be used for underwater special operations.
Russian bathyscaphe (Picture source : Today Online)
Initially, the bathyscaphes have been developed by the Malakhit Design Bureau by an order from the Russia's gas company Gazprom, in order to inspect and troubleshoot underwater pipelines.
However, nowadays, the Main Department of Deep-Water Studies of the Russian Defense Ministry has shown its interest to purchase this vehicle (for an amount of $US 15 million) and to provide it to its special forces for submarine operations, which would take place simultaneously in the Northern, the Pacific and the Black Sea fleets (at least 2 vehicles per fleet)
The batyscaphes are to be fitted with various manipulators and sensors and to accommodate 3 crew members. It will also be able to support operations during 24h without interruption and will be capable to reach depths down to 2,5 km.
