Russian Navy will commission three new fourth-generation nuclear-powered submarines by the end of 2012, reports RIA Novosti referring to a source in Navy Main HQ. The question is Project 955 Borei nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines SSBN Yury Dolgoruky and SSBN Alexander Nevsky, and Project 885 Yasen nuclear-powered attack submarine SSGN Severodvinsk.
According to the source, the subs were supposed to join the Navy in 2011, although the delivery date was postponed due to long-drawn trials of onboard armaments. Borei-class subs will be armed with Bulava ballistic missiles which are also to be commissioned this year. In their turn, Yasen-class submarines will receive Caliber cruise missiles.
SSBN Yury Dolgoruky will be stationed at Northern Fleet, reported Interfax citing the fleet’s submarine force commander Rear Admiral Igor Muhametshin . As for him, the crew has been already trained. Currently, SSBN Yury Dolgoruky is passing the final phase of sea trials and then will be delivered to the Navy.
As was earlier reported, the reason for delays in delivery of Borei- and Yasen-class subs was not only protracted missile tests but late contract signing. Contracts for delivery of those subs and development of modernized projects 885M and 955A were concluded by Russian Defense Ministry early Nov 2011.
Then a number of military officials said that the reason for delayed contract signing was imperfection of Russia’s pricing system.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , March 20, 2012; Image: dbpedia