Sevmash will deliver 3 nuc subs to the Navy this year

16.03.2011 Defense shipyard Sevmash (Severodvinsk) will deliver 3 new-generation nuclear submarines to the Navy in the current year, reports ITAR-TASS citing the yard's director Nikolai Kalistratov.

"We have a heavy production program for this year. We are to deliver three nuclear submarines to the Navy and an aircraft carrier to India for trials in the falls. All projects must be effectively completed", said Kalistratov at the field session of the interagency working group.

Over 100 representatives of defense ministry, industry, and design bureaus took part in the field session, reported Sevmash Press Service.

Lead Borei class SSBN Yury Dolgoruky (Project 955), first serial sub of same project SSBN Alexander Nevsky, and Yasen class attack submarine SSN Severodvinsk (Project 885) are expected to join Russian Navy in 2011.

Being a leader in Russian nuclear submarine construction, Sevmash shipyard has not delivered new subs for almost 10 years. The latest submarine built by Sevmash was SSN Gepard (Project 971) commissioned into Northern Fleet in Dec 2001.

SSBN Alexander Nevsky and SSN Severodvinsk are going to take the sea for a first time, while SSBN Yury Dolgoruky has sailed to sea test range for about 10 times to test navigability, speed and maneuver performance. On-board systems, equipment and weapons were checked as well. In addition, the submarine carried out training torpedo launches.

SSBN Yury Dolgoruky was laid down in 1996 and launched for further outfitting in Apr 2007. In 2010 the sub had completed the shipyard's sea trials program. The submarine will be commissioned along with perspective ballistic missile Bulava which also undergoes trials.

First serial sub of Project 955 – SSBN Alexander Nevsky was launched in Dec 2010. Reportedly, the submarine cost was analogous to the lead sub and makes about RUR 23 bln. Another submarine of this project – SSBN Vladimir Monomakh – is under construction at Sevmash.

Fourth-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine K-329 Severodvinsk was designed by Malakhit Design Bureau (St. Petersburg). The sub was laid down at Sevmash in 1993. According to the shipyard's spokesman, long-lasting construction period was caused not only by economic difficulties but crucially new hull architecture and arms. SSN Severodvinsk was launched on June 15, 2010.

According to open sources, firstly in national shipbuilding, torpedo tubes of Severodvinsk are located behind the central station leaving a bow space for new sonar antenna. Eight vertical missile launchers are placed in strength hull just like in SSBNs. Armament includes supersonic cruise missiles, multipurpose deep-water homing torpedoes. The second Project 885 submarine SSN Kazan was laid down at Sevmash in July 2009. Totally, it is planned to build six Yasen class subs.