Defense Ministry to Commission SSBN Yury Dolgoruky by June 2012

20.04.2012 Russian Defense Ministry plans to commission Project 955 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Yury Dolgoruky by June 15; the second sub of the project will join Russian Navy in Aug 2012, said deputy defense minister Alexander Sukhorukov having added that commission of SLBM Bulava was going on up to schedule as well.

Bulava missiles are to become the key element of Russia's maritime nuclear force along with their carriers – Project 955 Borei submarines.

"Speaking of two subs, Yury Dolgoruky and Alexander Nevsky, it is manufacturer [Sevmash shipyard] to blame. Not all pre-commission trials were carried out in 2011", Sukhorukov said.

"They will be performed this year. Yury Dolgoruky will be ready in May or June. According to schedule, all trials must be completed no later than on June 15, and the sub will be put in service then. The next one is Alexander Nevsky in August", reports RIA Novosti citing Sukhorukov. Speaking of commission of SLBM Bulava, Sukhorukov said "things are up to schedule, no problems".

"Formalization of all appropriate documents after state trials normally takes six or seven months. The work supposed to be done after state trials is going on", he said.

According to Vzglyad, United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) declared late in March that ballistic missile Bulava would not be launched by SSBN Yury Dolgoruky until Oct 2012.

Representative of USC earlier said that in 2012 there would be several Bulava test launches performed by SSBN Alexander Nevsky.

Recall that defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov announced in March that Bulava would be commissioned in Oct 2012.

R-30 3M30 Bulava (in international contracts – RSM-56, on NATO classification – SS-NX-30) is newest Russian three-stage solid-propellant submarine-based ballistic missile.

The missile is capable to carry 6-10 hypersonic maneuvering independently targetable nuclear reentry vehicles with yield of 100-150 kilotons each. It has low-altitude flight profile.

Bulava platforms are modernized SSBN Dmitry Donskoy (Project 941UM Akula, on NATO classification - Typhoon) and Project 955 Borei submarines – SSBN Yury Dolgoruky, SSBN Alexander Nevsky, SSBN Vladimir Monomakh, and further ones. Totally, it is planned to build eight Borei-class submarines by 2020.

In addition, Sukhorukov said that in 2012 Russian Armed Forces would receive 28 missile/gun air defense systems Pantsir, 58 airplanes, 124 helicopters, and missiles of different kinds.

"We're going to have 28 Pantsirs, 58 airplanes, 124 helicopters, ground- and sea-based missiles", he said.

"So, all tasks given to defense companies are being accomplished. As a deputy defense minister, I have no concerns over implementation of those contracts", Sukhorukov said.

He reminded that in accordance with State Arms Program 2011-2020, Russian Armed Forces are to receive over 1,120 helicopters. As of today, contracts for even larger number have been signed (1,124 helicopters). That was as a result of supplementary contracts, Sukhorukov explained.

In particular, defense ministry signed contracts for additional 27 helicopters Mi-35 which are to be delivered in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Also, a supplementary contract for Mi-28N Night Hunter helicopters is being prepared and expected to be tied in 2013.

Pantsir-S air defense system was developed in 1994 and firstly demonstrated at MAKS-1995 aerospace show in Moscow. The system has been substantially upgraded since that time; the latest known version was presented at MAKS-2007 exhibition. Presumably, Pantsir-S would substitute missile/gun air defense system Tunguska in Russian Army.

Pantsir-S is designed for air defense of small-size military and administrative assets and areas from aircraft, cruise missiles and precision weapons, as well as reinforcement of air defense units when repelling massive air attacks.