Russia Laid Down New Conventional Sub for Black Sea Fleet

17.08.2012 Keel-laying ceremony of diesel electric submarine (SSK) Stary Oskol for Russia's Black Sea Fleet (BSF) took place today in 12-th workshop of JSC Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard, Central Navy Portal reported play-by-play.

The ceremony was attended by Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Viktor Chirkov, president of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation Andrei Diachkov, director general of JSC Admiralteyskie Verfi Alexander Buzakov, representatives of St. Petersburg City Administration, Leningrad Naval Base command, and the town of Stary Oskol, other officials and honored guests.

Project 06363 diesel electric submarine Stary Oskol (serial number 01672, tactical number B-262) is the third sub in series being built by Admiralteyskie Verfi for Russian Navy. Just like the lead sub and the first serial one, SSK Stary Oskol is meant to reinforce BSF submarine fleet. According to Russian Navy's plans, Admiralteyskie Verfi will build six subs of that kind for Black Sea Fleet.

Lead submarine of the project, B-261 Novorossiysk was laid down in Aug 2010 (serial number 01670); keel laying of the second hull, B-237 Rostov-na-Donu (serial number 01671) was held in Nov 2011. Alexander Buzakov, the then acting director general of Admiralteyskie Verfi said in the spring of 2012 that the lead sub would be launched late in 2013.

Submarines of upgraded Project 06363 developed by Rubin Central Design Bureau are more effective comparing to the basic project. Main difference lies in considerably higher attack capability thanks to newest missile system Caliber-PL engaging not only sea targets but inshore ones too. Optimal combination of acoustic concealment and target detection range, advanced inertial navigation system, up-to-date automated tactical data system, powerful rapid torpedo and missile arms make subs of this project the world's leaders in non-nuclear submarine building industry.

In NATO, these submarines are classified as Improved Kilo.

General performance characteristics of Project 06363 diesel electric submarines:

Surface displacement – 2,350 tons
Submerged displacement – 3,950 tons
Surface speed – 17 knots
Submerged speed – 20 knots
Operating depth – 240 meters
Test depth – 300 meters
Armament: six 533-mm torpedo tubes (combat load 18 missiles and torpedoes)
Endurance – 45 days
Crew – 52 men