Diesel sub St. Petersburg was firstly put to sea as operational unit

21.06.2010 Lada-class 4th generation diesel electric submarine St. Petersburg for the first time was put to sea as operational unit of Russian Navy. The sub left Neva Harbor heading for ranges in the Baltic Sea. Submariners will test various systems, mechanisms, and equipment in different modes.

According to Mikhail Aleksandrov, deputy director general of Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard, lead diesel electric submarine St. Petersburg was delivered to the Navy on May 8, 2010 when the St. Andrew's flag was hoisted at the sub. Similar Lada-class submarines (displacement is 1,765 tons) will constitute a series of Russian diesel electric subs developed late 20 century by designers of Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (St. Petersburg).

The main feature of the series is combination of small size and high silence with powerful torpedo and missile armament. These submarines are designed for destruction of enemy's submarines and surface ships; defense of naval bases, sea shore, and sea lanes; conducting reconnaissance.

Submarine St. Petersburg was laid down in 1997, launched on Oct 28, 2004. At present, Project 677 submarines Kronshtadt (laid down July 28, 2005) and Sevastopol (laid down on Nov 10, 2006) are at different levels of completeness in Admiralteyskie Verfi.