A
second Borey-class nuclear-powered submarine, the Alexander Nevsky,
will most likely be delivered to the Russian Navy around the end of
November or early December this year, Russia’s United Shipbuilding
Corporation said Friday. |
“The
Alexander Nevsky has completed state trials. It is currently undergoing
some finishing works following recommendations by a state inspection
commission,” the company said in a statement.
“The signing of the acceptance act could take place sometime
at the end of November or early December, followed by deployment at
its home base,” the statement said.
The state sea trials of the Alexander Nevsky were suspended in September
following an unsuccessful launch of a Bulava submarine-launched ballistic
missile from the submarine.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered to hold five additional
launches of the troubled SLBM at the time.
However, the trials of the submarine were resumed in October, and the
vessel is expected to be put into service with the Navy even without
additional Bulava testing.
The first Borey-class submarine, the Yury Dolgoruky, was commissioned
into the Northern Fleet in January.
The fourth-generation
Borei-class sub, with new and improved ballistic missile capabilities,
is one of the eight major projects to be completed by 2020 that aim
to form the core of the Russian Navy's nuclear deterrence strategy over
the coming decades.
Designed by the Rubin bureau in St. Petersburg, the Borey class SSBN
is 580 feet (170 meters) long, has a hull diameter of 42 feet (13 meters),
and a crew of 107, including 55 officers, a maximum depth of about 1,500
feet (450 meters) and a submerged speed of about 29 knots.
All the Borey class strategic submarines carry up to 16 Bulava ballistic
missiles with multiple warheads. |
