The Russian Ministry of Defence announced it would commission the fifth Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Veliky Novgorod during a ceremony on October 26.
Veliky Novgorod was launched on May 31 at the Admiralty Shipyards in in Saint Petersburg. It is the fifth of overall six Improved Kilo class submarines.
Construction on the final diesel-electric submarine Kolpino started in 2014. It was launched this year and is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2016. During the Kolpino launching ceremony in May, Russian Vice-Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov told reporters that work on the fifth generation of Kilo-class submarines was already under way.
Project 636.3 submarines are armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air missiles. The Russian Navy says they displace 2.000 tonnes and can reach underwater speeds of 20 knots. The cruising range, under electric propulsion is 400 miles. The vessels can accommodate a crew of 52 submariners and can stay at sea for 45 days.