Russia floats out second Yasen-class submarine

Russian Navy’s second Project 885M, Yasen-class submarine was launched on Friday, Russian media reported.

The nuclear-powered submarine is being built at Sevmash shipyards in Severodvinsk, northern Russia.

Designed by St. Petersburg-based Malakhit Central Design Bureau, Kazan is the first of a series of improved Yasen-class submarines. Kazan started construction in 2009.

Russia intends to build seven submarines in the class by 2023, according to Russian news agency Tass. “We are in the process of creating a submarine group capable of coping with missions around the world and maintaining Russia’s security,” Admiral Vladimir Korolyov was quoted as saying by Tass.

The first submarine in the class, Severodvinsk, was delivered to the Russian Navy in 2013, twenty years after it was laid down in 1993. Following sea trials, the submarine was commissioned in 2014.

With a submerged displacement of 13,800 tons, Project 885M submarines are armed with 24 Oniks (SS-N-26) and Kalibr (SS-N-27) cruise missiles in addition to torpedoes. They are reportedly one of the quietest submarines to be operated by Russia.