Two new Project 955 Borey submarines - Vladimir Monomakh and Aleksandr Nevskiy - are expected to join the Pacific Fleet in 2014. The first submarine of this class - Yuri Dolgorukiy - officially joined the Northern Fleet in September 2013. None of the submarines appear to have missiles ready for deployment, though - after the September 2013 setback, test launches of Bulava will not resume until May-June 2014. It is expected that the new test series will include six launches from Vladimir Monomakh and Aleksandr Nevskiy (some of them salvo launches).
The book
Comments
Not a direct question on topic but something I’m curious about.
RIA Novosti has a recent article about the new submarine, Novorossiysk. Russia is building six of the Project 636 submarines for service in the Black Sea. Two questions:
Is the Project 636 class the "Improved" Kilo submarine?
Will Russia move these submarines upon completions to the Black Sea via the canal system from the builder? If yes, the builder is St Petersburg’s Admiralty Shipyards and how would that exactly be done. Thanks!
Frank Shuler
USA
After reviewing the terms of the Montreux Convention, I think I’ve answered my question regarding transit of the Novorossiysk to the Black Sea.
Frank Shuler
USA
Hi Frank
With regards to Project 636 SSKs being "improved " Kilos, the answer is yes
And they will transit via the Bosporus Straits in line with the Montreux Convention as you've discovered
Tony
Tony, leads me to another question. It was reported in the Western press that the Lada Class, Project 677, had been “discontinued”. The lead submarines, the Sankt Peterburg was not accepted into service by the Russian Navy due to “material defects” in the AIPS and “other” equipment. Next we hear that Russia has sold China six of these submarines with the lead boat being built in Russia (the Sankt Peterburg perhaps) and “technology transfer components” provided so the rest can be build in China. Can you confirm or provide any additional information? Thanks!
Frank Shuler
USA
Frank
St Petersburg is continuing "as planned" (this time) and is due to be completed next year, with the second boat, "Kronshtadt" and third "Sevestopol" behind by 6 month increments
The Chinese boats are a different order, and will be known as Amur Class boats
Sorry, for clarification
China have ordered only 4 Project 677E Amur Class; it's the Vietnamese Navy that have ordered 6
Tony
[China have ordered only 4 Project 677E Amur Class; it's the Vietnamese Navy that have ordered 6]
Tony, I have the Vietnamese Navy ordering back in April 2009, six of the “Improved Kilo” (Project 636) submarines for $1.8 billion, The first of the six submarines, Ha Noi, was delivered to Vietnam on back on 7 November. The last of the boats is scheduled for delivery by 2016. Interesting more is the Indian Navy is providing the training and support for these boats, as they are the first submarines in service for Vietnam.
Frank Shuler
USA
That's correct Frank
Maybe China have added an additional 2 boats to the order but I have no reference to this
They're also concentrating quite hard on developing their own boats now, though there is confusion on just how many different types they're working on - Type 095 and Type 097 being the latest (though reports say that the 097 could actually be a later improved version of the 095!!!) These are SSNs though
Tony