Novorossiysk Submarine Joins Russian Navy

Admiralty Shipyards held a flag raising ceremony today for the Russian Navy’s new diesel-electric submarine “Novorossiysk” of Project 636.3, PortNews writes.

This is the first in a series of six submarines that will serve in the Black Sea Fleet, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. Novorossiysk represents the first step of the Russian Navy’s fleet modernization programme.

Construction of the Novorossiysk submarine started in August 2010. The Varshavyanka-class submarines, the improved variant of the Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines, feature advanced stealth technology, extended combat range, modern inertial navigation system and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.

These submarines are armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air, have an underwater speed of 20 knots, a cruising range of 400 miles (electric propulsion), the ability to patrol for 45 days and can accommodate a crew of 52 submariners.