Navy Commander Denied Lada Subs Rejection

17.02.2012 Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky refuted reports about allegedly abandoned Project 677 Lada diesel submarines.

"I used violent language regarding the lead sub St. Petersburg but not Project Lada in general", reports RIA Novosti citing Vladimir Vysotsky.

"Main problem of that submarine is powerplant. As for now, we have been shown a mockup of anaerobic [air-independent] plant providing quite considerable power. Of course, there are many issues to be settled. But actually, we do expect to obtain a functioning sample", he said.

The admiral emphasized that testbed trials of the powerplant "shows encouraging results".

"A quite good project may appear when all defects are eliminated. We clearly understand where to go next", Vysotsky said.

He declared on Feb 9 that "Russian Navy does not need Lada-class subs in current variant".

"We don't need new 'brains' and arms mounted on past-age powerplant. Why? Who needs it? Moreover, operational features are also obsolete", said the Navy CinC.

Project Lada diesel electric submarines were designed late in 90's. Presently, Russian Navy operates none of those submarines; lead sub of the project – St. Petersburg – is in experimental service at Baltic Fleet.