21.12.2009
Northern Fleet's SSBN K-18 Karelia has completed sea trials program after overhaul and modernization at Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center, reports ITAR-TASS. Builder's sea trials included three cruises which were carried out successfully. The sub is expected to depart for permanent basing site by the end of 2009.
Commissioned in 1989, the sub has been upgraded at
Zvezdochka shipyard, Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk region. Interim overhaul works lasted since Oct 2004 and in Nov 2008 the submarine left the boathouse. Results of upgrade are decreased noisiness, higher casualty control and nuclear safety, capability to detect enemy submarines.
K-18 is fifth submarine of Project 667BDRM
Delfin which was under repair at
Zvezdochka. Previously, the shipyard worked on SSBNs K-51
Verkhoturye, K-84
Yekaterinburg, K-114
Tula, K-117
Bryansk. In total, Russia has six
Delfin-class nuc subs; the sixth one – K-407
Novomoskovsk – shifted
Karelia at the shipyard.
SSBN
Karelia was built by
Sevmash shipyard, Severodvinsk. The sub's displacement makes 12,000 tonnes; maximum speed is 24 knots. Armament of
Delfin-class submarines includes 16 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).
Source: , photo: K-18 Karelia (atrinaflot.narod.ru)
