Russia’s
Sevmash shipyard will float out a third Borey class strategic nuclear
submarine, the Vladimir Monomakh, on December 30, Navy Commander Adm.
Viktor Chirkov said on Wednesday. “The Vladimir Monomakh will
be floated out on December 30 and its construction will continue as
planned,” Chirkov said.
The Borey class submarines are expected to form the core of Russia's
strategic submarine fleet, replacing the aging Project 941 (NATO Typhoon
class) and Project 667 class (Delta-3 and Delta-4) boats. Russia plans
to build eight Borey and Borey-A class subs by 2020. |
|
Two Borey class vessels, the Yury Dolgoruky and the
Alexander Nevsky, have been already built and are undergoing sea trials.
The Yury Dolgoruky was expected to join the Russian Navy by the end
of this year, but tests carried out during the latest sea trials revealed
a number of technical flaws. For instance, software glitches in the
automated launch control system prevented further tests of the Bulava
ballistic missile, the submarine’s main weapon.
Recent statements by military officials indicated that the commissioning
of the Yury Dolgoruky had been postponed until 2013, but Chirkov said
on Wednesday it could still happen this year, if all the problems are
fixed.
“If the final ongoing tests show positive results, the acceptance
act could be signed by December 30,” the admiral said.
A Borey class strategic submarine is 170 meters (580 feet) long, has
a hull diameter of 13 meters (42 feet), a crew of 107, including 55
officers, a maximum depth of 450 meters (about 1,500 feet) and a submerged
speed of about 29 knots.
All the Borey class strategic submarines will carry the Bulava ballistic
missiles, up to 16 ballistic missiles with multiple warheads.
The subs will be assigned to Russia’s Northern and Pacific fleets.
Chirkov said that the stage-by-stage construction of infrastructure
to accommodate Borey class vessels at the Northern Fleet had been going
according to plans.
“It will be ready to receive the first Borey class submarine as
early as in 2013,” he said.
|
