New Generation Submarine for the Russian Fleet

Russia is facing a very challenging task to modernize its naval forces. To achieve this, the country’s experts are working on a program for military and civil ship building. To launch a series of Severodvinsk-class submarines is one of the priorities of this program, the President Dmitry Medvedev said attending the official float-out ceremony at the port of Severodvinsk.

The Russian leader described the new multipurpose attack submarine as a good example of how a difficult project may be implemented. The new Severodvisnk submarine will help Russia modernize its navy to be ready to react to present-day threats. Russia will keep on with naval modernization despite the economic crisis, Mr. Medvedev said. "We must boost our ship building industry despite all existing difficulties, as it has been announced in our state arms program", said Mr. Medvedev.

The fourth generation Severodvinsk, the Yasen (Graney) class submarine, was built at the Sevmash shipyard. Graney class nuclear submarines are designed to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles with nuclear warheads, and effectively engage submarines, surface warships and land-based targets. The new submarine's armament includes 24 cruise missiles, and is also equipped with eight torpedo launchers, as well as mines and anti-ship missiles such as SS-N-16 Stallion.

Experts note that the Severodvinsk submarine will be equipped with the long-range missiles. These won't be Bulava missiles which will be used at some other strategic submarines, the experts stress. The new tests of the Bulava missiles will be carried out from the nuclear submarine Dmitry Donskoy in July-September. However the Severodvinsk submarine is not a substitute for the project of the Dmitry Donskoy submarine admiral Vladimir Kamoyedov stresses.

Their purposes are different. Severodvinsk is a multi-functional submarine which is able to attack surface ships and aircraft carrier groups while the strategic task of the Dmitry Donskoy submarine is to protect and attack land objects.

According to the estimations of Western and Russian experts, the Severodvinsk submarine will be quieter and much more powerful than the USA's Sea Wolf. The Russian Navy will receive the first Severodvinsk submarine in 2011 and than six more submarines of this class are to be built.