16.11.2012
In 2013, Russian defense ministry will start equipping of Project 971 Schuka-B and Project 877 Varshavyanka submarines with Caliber cruise missiles capable to hit land-based targets at the range of 300-2,500 km, reports Izvestiya.
According to the newspaper, "Russian Navy will thereby obtain a capability to attack land targets. By the way, the missiles are launched by common 533-mm torpedo tubes".
"It is practically impossible to intercept
Caliber missile even by the most advanced air defense systems, including Russian S-300 and S-400. Salvo launch made by a suddenly surfaced submarine may destroy several key assets at once. This capability makes the subs earlier used only for naval engagement a versatile weapon", a source in Russian Navy Main HQ told
Izvestiya.
At present, Russian Navy operates over 20 submarines of
Schuka-B and
Varshavyanka classes, reports the newspaper.
A high-ranking staff officer told
Izvestiya that integration of
Caliber missile into Project 971 nuclear submarine K-328
Leopard had been already started. The sub is under repairs at
Sevmash shipyard since June 2011. Early in Nov,
Caliber missile was successfully tested by its standard carrier, newest Russian
Yasen-class submarine
Severodvinsk.
According to
Izvestiya, at first, the
Caliber missiles will be planted in Project 971 submarines stationed at Northern Fleet. Then, analogous work will be done on Pacific Fleet'
Schukas.
An informed representative of defense industry told
Izvestiya that the first
Caliber-equipped diesel-electric submarine would be B-261
Novorossiysk (Project 636.3) being currently built at
Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard in St. Petersburg. She will be followed by diesel subs
Rostov-na-Donu and
Stary Oskol in 2014-2015. After that, it is planned to plant
Caliber missiles on Project 877
Varshavyanka submarines in service at Northern Fleet's 165-th brigade.
"It is also discussed to plant the new missiles on
Lada-class submarines, in particular, on the lead sub
St. Petersburg which is already built", writes
Izvestiya.
