SSBN Karelia to sail off to permanent basing site on Jan 15

14.01.2010
Northern Fleet's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine K-18 Karelia will sail from Severodvinsk to permanent basing site in Gadzhievo, Murmansk region on Jan 15.

In Dec 2009 the sub had completed builder's sea trials at Zvezdochka shipyard where it had been passing interim overhaul and modernization since Oct 2004. Over 100 innovations improving sub's performance characteristics were applied. The sub is armed with a new rocket torpedo system TVR-671RTM; SLBM Sineva has become the basic armament of Karelia. Noisiness of the submarine was reduced; its detection capability of enemy subs has been significantly increased; casualty control and nuclear safety were also improved.

Official acceptance memorandum will be signed on Jan 22, said the source in Zvezdochka. According to the shipyard's press service, operation life of the sub will make 10 years.

K-18 Karelia is a Project 667BDRM Delfin 2-gen SSBN.

REGISTRATION

Gadzhievo, Northern Fleet

CONSTRICTION

The sub was laid down in February, 1987 in Severodvinsk; launched in 1988; commissioned in 1989.

MILESTONES

The submarine performed over 14 missile firings and covered over 140,000 miles. In April 2000 Vladimir Putin was sailing the sea on board the sub.

PERFORMANCE

Surface speed: 14 knots
Submerged speed: 24 knots
Operating depth: 320-400 meters
Test depth: 550-650 meters
Endurance: 90 days
Crew: 135 - 140 men

DIMENSIONS

Surface displacement: 11,740 tonnes
Submerged displacement: 18,200 tonnes
Extreme length (at design waterline): 167.4 meters
Extreme beam: 11.7 meters
Mean draft (at design waterline): 8.8 meters

ARMAMENT

The submarine is armed with 4 torpedo tubes (533-mm), load is 12 torpedoes. Installation of 24 mines instead of torpedoes is possible. Missile armament: RSM-54 Sineva, TVR-671RTM rocket torpedo system, 9K310 Igla-1 / 9K38 Igla MANPADS launcher.

Source: RusNavy.com, photo: Project 667BDRM submarine (submarine.id.ru)