Russian Navy Declares Development Prospects

15.10.2012 The State Arms Procurement Program 2011-2020 provides construction of ice-class nuclear-powered warships and littoral zone ships for Northern Fleet (NF), said Rear Admiral Vasily Lyashok, the head of Russian Navy Development Planning Dept.

"We need ships capable to be deployed for a long time in the Arctic. They must have nuclear powerplant and proper ice trafficability. It is our requirements for new ships", he told the Echo Moskvy Radio on Saturday.

"Second, we need so-called littoral zone ships in the Arctic, primarily, in the Barents Sea and then in the Kara Sea. Those ships must maintain favorable operational environment and secure Russian maritime economic activities", added the admiral. First of all, such ships will be in need for protection of gas producing platforms in the Stockman deposit area, he explained. "The state arms program does provide procurement of such kind of ships, including supply vessels", said the Russian Navy's spokesman.

Lyashok specified that Northern Fleet was also striving for development of search-and-rescue fleet to be jointly used by the Navy and EMERCOM.

He added that submarines Yury Dolgoruky and Severodvinsk would be commissioned in 2013. "We all look forward to commissioning of strategic submarine Yury Dolgoruky and cruise missile attack submarine Severodvinsk. Those are the most significant events in 2013", Lyashok said.

In addition, he said it was planned to lay down keels for two new frigates by the end of the current year.

Built under Project 955, Yury Dolgoruky is the lead submarine of Borei class. She was followed by Alexander Nevsky, Vladimir Monomakh, and Knyaz Vladimir already keel-laid. The series of fourth-generation nuclear-powered submarines armed with Bulava ballistic missiles is called to become the core of Russia's maritime strategic nuclear force for the next decades.

Lyashok added that Mistral-class amphibious assault ships would be commissioned into Pacific Fleet in 2014 and 2015. "The foreign-made helicopter carriers obtained names of Vladivostok and Sevastopol. It is absolutely apparent that the first ship will be received in 2014, and the second in 2015", Lyashok said.

"We haven't had such ships before. Therefore, we're working on theoretic and practical use of these ships", said the Navy spokesman. He added that Russian Navy along with French party was working on basing issues of the Mistral-class ships at Pacific Fleet.

"We treat this ship not just as a landing assault asset but a multifunctional ship capable to accomplish wide range of tasks, including peaceful ones", the officer said.

As for him, had Russia started building of such ships, the Navy would receive them only in eight years.

The admiral confirmed that defense ministry and other associated agencies had been tasked to lift sunken Russian submarines. "Decision on their lifting would be made depending on actual state of radiation background", pointed out Lyashok.

As for him, Soviet submarine K-27 sank in the Kara Sea at the depth of 75 meters in 1981. The second submarine, K-159 sank in the Barents Sea in 2003 being towed for utilization.

"Indeed, their dismantling is important, these subs will be definitely lifted", Lyashok said.

At the same time, Russia and foreign states permanently monitor radiation background. As for Lyashok, it presently does not exceed allowed level.

Recall that some media orders earlier reported that two sunken Soviet Northern Fleet submarines K-27 and K-159 would be lifted and dismantled inshore, those works are provided by updated project of Russian Arctic Development Strategy.

Russian Navy is about to expand use of stealth technology in its warships, said Lyashok on Saturday. "So-called stealth technology is being introduced in Russian Navy. It has been partially used in new Project 20380 corvette Stereguschiy and will be then widely used in other ships", the admiral said.

Stealth technology reduces signature of objects for different surveillance systems.

RADM Lyashok added that transfer of the Navy Main HQ from Moscow to St. Petersburg had not posed problems for the fleet administration.

"We've been working there [in St. Petersburg] since 1-st October. We feel no difficulties in control of the naval affairs", Lyashok said.