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Typhoon submarines may sail again
04/15/2009 |
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The world's biggest nuclear powered submarines, the Typhoon-class, can again be put into ordinary operation. The two submarines Severstal and Arkhangelsk, today in reserve, can in the future be sailing for the Northern Fleet.
Of the originally six submarines of the giant Typhoon-class, only one remains operational. This submarine, Dmitry Donskoi, is used as a test platform for the new Bulava sea based intercontinental missiles. Three submarines of the class are scrapped.
The two last Typhoon-class submarines, Severstal and Arkhangelsk, remain in reserve at a Belomorsk naval base in Severodvinsk. Now, the debate has started about their future use.
Last week, on April 8th, Sergey Stepashin, the chairman of Russian Accounts Chamber visited Severodvinsk and discussed the future of the remaining Typhoon-class submarines with Nikolai Kalistratov, the director general of Sevmash shipyard, reported by Nuclear.ru.
During his visit to Severodvinsk Stepashin also visited to the nearby Belomorsk naval base where he stayed on board Severstal.
All the Typhoon-class submarines were built at the Sevmash yard in Severodvinsk and the constructors today believe both Arkhangelsk and Severstal can be put into operation in the Northern fleet again.
The 175 meter (574 feet) long and 24,000 tons heavy vessel is the largest nuclear powered submarine ever built. During the Cold War the six Typhoon-class submarines were based at the naval base in Zapadnaya Litsa, only some 50 kilometres from the border to Norway. Three of the six Typhoon-class subs are decommissioned.
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