Keel-laying of fourth Borei-class sub is postponed to first quarter 2010
16.12.2009
Source: RIA Novosti, photo: Project 955 lead sub Yury Dolgoruky (pilot.strizhi.info)
Keel-laying of fourth Project 955 Borei SSBN Svyatitel Nikolai is postponed from Dec to first quarter of 2010, but the project is not frozen though, said Tuesday top-ranking military official to RIA Novosti.
Keel-laying of SSBN Svyatitel Nikolai was scheduled on Dec 22 at Sevmash shipyard and associated with 70th anniversary of the shipyard. Some media sources reported of possible postpone due to failed test launches of SLBM Bulava which is planned to be basic weapon of the project submarines.
"Keel-laying of fourth Borei will be carried out at Sevmash in first quarter 2010. This can not be classified as "project freezing" activity, it is entirely related to organizational and technical reasons", said the interviewee.