Russian Submarine Alexander Nevsky to Launch Bulava no Sooner than Summer 2012

Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava will be launched from the fourth-generation SSBN Alexander Nevsky no sooner than in summer 2012, reported military industrial committee at Russian Government.

“As is planned, after completion of sea trials and several successful Bulava launches SSBN Alexander Nevsky would be commissioned into Russian Navy late in 2012”, reports ITAR-TASS citing the spokesman for defense industry.

About Submarine Alexander Nevsky

Russian submarine K-550 Alexander Nevsky is a Russian nuclear ballistic missile submarine of the fourth generation Borei class (Project 955A) currently under construction. Named after the Russian saint Alexander Nevskiy, the submarine was laid down in March 2004 and was first planned to be launched in 2009. However budgetary problems and repeated failures of the submarines main weapon, the Bulava SLMB missile, has pushed the launch date forward. Russian officials has however stated that the submarine has been completed on time and even with some advance in schedule. The submarine was to have been rolled out from its construction hall on 30 November 2010. This was postponed to December due to bad weather, reported the shipyard’s press service.

On 2 December 2010 the submarine was rolled out from its construction hall to floating dock and would be submarine launched in a unknown date. The submarine was inspected by the Russian Prime minister, Vladimir Putin on 13 December 2010.

With an estimated cost of 23 billion RUR (~$900 million USD), the new submarine has no significant differences from the lead ship, SSBN Yury Dolgoruky. Alexander Nevskiy is expected to be commissioned in December 2011 and is to be stationed in the Russian Pacific Fleet.

By late October 2011 the submarine was ready for its first sea trials. Its planned to launch the first SLBM from the Alexander Nevsky in 2012.

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Source: rusnavy, October 28, 2011