Navy Commander-in-Chief congratulated submariners

21.03.2011 On March 19, 2011 Russia celebrated 105th anniversary of Submarine Force. Solemn activities were conducted in Navy Main HQ and all fleets.

Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky congratulated submariners on their occupational holiday.

"Our country celebrates 105th anniversary of Russian Submarine Force this year.

This is a great event in Russia. It is celebrated by tens of thousands people all across the post-Soviet republics who took part in creation, formation, and development of national submarine force; they are those who cherish heroic past of national submarine fleet, its present, and future.

Russian Submarine Force started its path with attempts to discover sea abyss and have developed to the most advanced technologies embodied in 4th-generation nuclear submarines which have written numerous golden pages in the national navy's glorious battle annals.

Modern submarine fleet is implementation of progressive shipbuilding concepts and revolutionary ideas in underwater vehicles development. It is a result of titanic work done by scientists and designers, engineers and shipbuilders.

As of today, Russian president and government give much prominence to construction of 4th-generation nuclear-powered attack and strategic submarines. Sufficient and timely financing of new-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines are top-priority objective.

The shipyard's sea trials of SSBN Yury Dolgoruky had been completed in 2010. Construction of two serial submarines of same project – SSBN Alexander Nevsky and SSBN Vladimir Monomakh is in progress.

In 2011 it is planned to complete SSGN Severodvinsk and continue construction of SSGN Kazan.

First serial submarine of this project is supposed to be laid down until the current year is over.

Test firings of Caliber sea-based long-range cruise missile system were successfully held in 2010. One of them was performed during Vostok-2010 large-scale maneuvers.

Diesel submarine St. Petersburg has been put into trial operation.

First large-size submarine Novorossiysk was laid down. With such submarines we start a short-term Black Sea Fleet renovation program.

Submarine force has been always a backbone of Russia's combat might.

All Russians are proud of submariners, bowing before their patriotism, invincible will, courage, and solidarity.

Names of Fisanovich, Marinesko, Schedrin, Travkin, Gadzhiev, Vidyaev and many other submariners are stuck in memory of numerous generations. Those heroes attained immortality during rough years of the Great Patriotic War, having won brilliant victories over strong and subtle enemy.

The era of nuclear-powered submarines became an eminent milestone and the most impressive evolution phase of national submarine school. Submarine force became the main branch in the Navy.

Veteran submariners make a great contribution to patriotic education of youngsters and increase prestige of naval service.

With heart grief we recall submariners failed to return home in peace time. Those who had fully completed their duties, who took a leap in immortality out of submarine compartments, who found a last resort in the ocean, will remain in the history of Russian Navy for ever.

To a Russian submariner, heroism is not a moment but the whole service; duty, honor, and homeland are not just words but purpose of his life. Present knights of deeps have carefully adopted the best traditions.

Today's Russian submariners insistently improve their naval skills; devote their lives to the Navy, the St. Andrew's flag, and the sea; reliably protect Russia's underwater frontiers.

I would like to express my high appreciation of your hard military service. I strongly believe that submariners will continue Russian Navy's heroic traditions.

I wish you robust health, happiness, well-being, and further success in the service for the good of our Motherland!

Best regards,
Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief
Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky"