19.12.2008
Source:
Russia's first Borey-class strategic nuclear submarine will start sea trials by the end of 2008, a defense industry source said on Thursday.
The fourth-generation
Yury Dolgoruky was built at the
Sevmash plant in northern Russia and was taken out of dry dock in April 2007. It will be equipped with
Bulava ballistic missiles upgraded from
Topol-M (SS-27) missiles.
"The successful testing of the submarine's nuclear reactor, conducted on December 16 by
Sevmash and Northern Fleet specialists, enable us to say confidently that
Yury Dolgoruky will start sea trials by yearend," the source said.
The submarine is 170 meters (580 feet) long, has a hull diameter of 13 meters (42 feet), a crew of 107, including 55 officers, a maximum depth of 450 meters (about 1,500 feet) and a submerged speed of about 29 knots. It can carry up to 16 ballistic missiles.
Two other
Borey-class nuclear submarines, the
Alexander Nevsky and the
Vladimir Monomakh, are currently under construction at the
Sevmash shipyard and are expected to be completed in 2009 and 2011.
Russia's Navy commander, Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky, said in July that the construction of new-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile and attack submarines is a top priority for the Russian Navy's development.
Under the Russian State Armaments Program for 2007-2015, the Navy will receive several dozen surface ships and submarines, including five Project 955
Borey-class submarines, two Project 885
Yasen nuclear-powered attack submarines, and six Project 677
Lada diesel-electric submarines.
