Northern Fleet Held 7 Ballistic Missile Tests in 2011

01.12.2011 In training year of 2011 crews of Northern Fleet (NF) nuclear-powered submarines have carried out 7 launches of ballistic missiles from underwater positions, including three state flight development tests of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava.

"All launches of ballistic missiles held in 2011 by NF submarines were found successful", emphasized NF Commander Vice Admiral Vladimir Korolev. "In the training year of 2011, there were four such launches scheduled. This indicates high effectiveness and reliability of our nuclear deterrence weapons".

In 2011, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Yekaterinburg has performed three successful underwater launches from the Barents Sea against Kura Range, Kamchatka. The submarine led by Capt 1 rank Igor Stepanenko won the Navy Commander's Prize at the all-Navy combat training competitions.

Another successful launch of ballistic missile from the Barents Sea was carried out by SSBN Tula under command of Capt 1 rank Arkady Navarsky.

NF submariners led by Capt 1 rank Vladimir Shirin displayed high professionalism and naval skills during flight tests of SLBM Bulava. This crew carried out three effective launches by standard platform – Borei-class SSBN Yury Dolgoruky. In 2010 crews of NF submarines conducted five successful SLBM launches, including two Bulava ones.