Russian Navy: Severodvinsk (Yasen Class SSN), Alexander Nevsky (Borei Class SSBN) entering service

Two Russian submarines are entering service just in time for the Russian Navy Day, which falls on July 27 this year: a Yasen class nuclear attack submarine Severodvinsk and a Borei class ballistic missile submarine Alexander Nevsky.

Yasen Class SSN - Severodvinsk ( Image Courtesy - en.ria.ru ) 

Construction of the Severodvinsk began in 1993, but its completion was significantly delayed and submarine was finally launched in 2010. The submarine, whose rivals are the US Navy’s Seawolf class and Virginia class submarines, is equipped with the Russian equivalent of the US Tomahawk missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead and has a firing range of up to 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles).The Yasen-class submarine also has additional missiles that can be used for high-precision strikes against ground targets.

Borei Class SSBN - Alexander Nevsky ( Image Courtesy - en.ria.ru ) 

The Borei class Alexander Nevsky submarine began trials in October 2010. It was involved in test-firing Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, which all Borei class submarines are equipped with. Alexander Nevsky is the first series-built submarine of the Borei class. Two additional Borei class submarines and two Yasen class submarines are currently under construction. In total, Russia plans to build 8 Borei-class submarines and 8 Yasen-class submarines by 2020.

Russia has been stepping up the development of its navy since Crimea became part of the Russian Federation in March. In addition to the Russian naval base in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, Russia is developing a port in the country’s southern city of Novorossiysk, so that part of Russian’s Black Sea Fleet vessels and troops could be deployed there.

By 2017, six Admiral Grigorovich class frigates and six improved Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines will join the Black Sea Fleet.

News Courtesy - en.ria.ru

Second Borei Class SSBN Alexander Nevsky expected by 2013 end

Alexander Nevsky, second nuclear-powered strategic submarine of Borei-class will be handed over to the Russian Navy by the end of the year, a Navy official told RIA Novosti on Friday. “The Navy is planning to commission the Alexander Nevsky submarine before the end of this year. Things are going according to plan,” the official said.

The Alexander Nevsky has been undergoing trials at the Sevmash shipyard since 2012. There will be three sea trials this year and a Bulava ballistic missile will be test-launched from the submarine in the summer, the official said.

Alexander Nevsky SSBN at sea trials ( Image Courtesy - english.ruvr.ru )

A Sevmash official representative also confirmed to RIA Novosti that the submarine will be handed over to the Navy in 2013. The Alexander Nevsky is the second Borei class submarine. The first, the Yury Dolgoruky, entered service with the Northern Fleet in January, and the third, the Vladimir Monomakh, was floated out last December and is due to enter into service in 2014. The first three vessels in the Borei series are capable of carrying 16 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

A total of eight Borei-class submarines are to be built for the Russian Navy by 2020. This year Sevmash shipyard will start construction of two upgraded Borei class Project 955A submarines - the Alexander Suvorov and the Mikhail Kutuzov - capable of carrying 20 ballistic missiles each.

News Courtesy - en.ria.ru

Delta Class Russian SSBN Verkhoturye returns to service

The Russian Navy ballistic-missile submarine Verkhoturye has returned to service with the Northern Fleet after completing a refit, Fleet Spokesman Captain First Rank Vadim Serga said on Wednesday.

SSBN Verkhoturye at ceremony after refit ( Image Courtesy - navyrecognition.com )

The Verkhoturye is the second Northern Fleet Project 667 class boat to be refitted, he said.

“In August 2012, the Northern Fleet was reinforced with the Novomoskovsk submarine, which also underwent repairs and upgrade at the Severodvinsk defense shipyard,” he said.

SSBN Verkhoturye arrives at Gadzhiyevo naval base ( Image Courtesy - guardian.co.uk )

Project 667 class boats displace 12,000 tons, have a maximum diving depth of 400 meters, a cruising speed of 24 knots and a crew of 140 men. They are armed with 16 Sineva intercontinental ballistic missiles.

News Courtesy - en.rian.ru

Vladimir Monomakh - Borei Class SSBN starts sea-trials

Nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarine, the Vladimir Monomakh, which is the third ship in Russia's Borei project has begun its sea trials, as it bids to become fully operational by mid-2013.

This submarine forms part of the Borei family of ships, which Russia Navy will operate as the strategic component of its nuclear naval forces over the next few decades. The first of the Borei class is the Yury Dolgoruky, which was commissioned in Russian Navy on 10th Jan, 2013.

Borei Class SSBN - Vladimir Monomakh at sea-trials ( Image Courtesy - dailymail.co.uk ) 

Another missile cruiser in the Borei family, the Aleksandr Nevsky, is also undergoing tests, Sevmash shipyard has said. Meanwhile, the Knyaz Vladimir, the fourth and even more advanced submarine, is currently under construction. 

The Russians plan to have around ten Borei submarines over the next eight years, according to the state armaments program of 2011-2020. 

News Courtesy - dailymail.co.uk

Russian SSBN Yury Dolgoruky joins Russian Navy Fleet

Borei class nuclear-powered submarine Yury Dolgoruky has officially became part of the Russian Navy. The first of the new generation submarines, which will be the country's main nuclear deterrent in coming years, entered into service with the Russian Navy on 10 Jan, 2012.

Yury Dolgoruky missile cruiser raised the flag in a ceremony in the Arctic port of Severodvinsk. The Yury Dolgoruky submarine is also the first to have the latest Bulava intercontinental missile on-board.

Borei Class SSBN, Yury Dolgoruky at sea-trials ( Image Courtesy - 02varvara.wordpress.com ) 

"Another seven Borei-class submarines will join the Navy by 2020. The Navy will also receive eight Yasen-class submarines by then", President Vladimir Putin said.

The Navy has already ordered three more Borei-class submarines: Alexander Nevsky, Vladimir Monomakh and Knyaz Vladimir.

Built at an estimated cost of 23 billion rubles ($750 million), the Yury Dolgoruky is 170 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, with a diving depth of 450 meters. 

News Courtesy - The Moscow Times

Russian SSBN - Yury Dolgoruky to join fleet in September

Russia's newest ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the Project 955 Borey class boat Yury Dolgoruky, will be handed over to the fleet in September, a source in United Shipbuilding Corporation said on Friday. 

Its sister ship, the Alexander Nevsky, will carry out a further Bulava test launch in November "as part of its state trials," he said. Alexander Nevsky is also likely to be commissioned by year’s end. Both of these SSBNs will initially join Northern Fleet, but would be subsequently moved to Pacific Fleet.

Yury Dolgoruky, at trials ( Image Courtesy - english.ruvr.ru )

The Borey class will become the mainstay of the Russian Navy's strategic nuclear deterrent force, replacing older Project 667 (NATO Delta 4) boats. The class will consist of eight boats, all armed with Bulava missiles.

News Courtesy - en.ria.ru