Shipyard shapes submarines from metal and tests for months – Sevmash director

06.12.2010 Over 150 submarines have been built by Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. Construction periods are different; everything depends on complexity of an order and government's financing.

"Up to 6 submarines used to be launched per year in Soviet era. The newest nuclear-powered submarine Alexander Nevsky has been built for 6 years now. All phases of building are under strict control. The responsibility is heavy, since the price for an error might be lives of the future crew", told Sevmash director general Nikolai Kalistratov in the interview to RIA Novosti.

The submarine building process starts in the shipyard's hull plating shop where metal for a future sub is being cut and special presses give required shape to blanks.

Then the "cut" submarine goes to the hull assembly shop where separate parts are assembled into blocks and sections. They resemble huge metal cylinders which weigh hundreds of tons. They are integrated into submarine's strength hull. The quality of welding is controlled by gamma-ray test.

"Tested sections go to slipway shop where they are welded together and pass hydraulic tests. Then the hull is cut in larger parts, and all interior equipment is installed. Afterwards, the strength hull is welded, and external hull is assembled. This is when a sub takes the customary form", explained Vladimir Syrodubov, deputy director of the yard's launching shop.

Then the submarine is launched and spends several months at the outfitting quay undergoing mooring and sea trials. Only after numerous tests a submarine becomes genuine combat unit of Russian Navy.