Russia's new strategic submarine to start sea trials by yearend

SEVERODVINSK, November 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's first Borey class strategic nuclear submarine will start sea trials by the end of 2008, the Sevmash shipyard said on Thursday. (Russia launches new nuclear submarine - Image Gallery)

The fourth-generation Yury Dolgoruky was built at the Sevmash plant in northern Russia and was taken out of dry dock in April 2007. It will be equipped with Bulava ballistic missiles upgraded from Topol-M (SS-27) missiles.

"The [submarine's] reactor will be switched on by the end of November. Yury Dolgoruky will go to sea by yearend," Sevmash general director Nikolai Kalistratov said.

The submarine is 170 meters (580 feet) long, has a hull diameter of 13 meters (42 feet), a crew of 107 (55 officers), a maximum depth of 450 meters (about 1,500 feet) and a submerged speed of about 29 knots. It can carry up to 16 ballistic missiles.

Two other Borey-class nuclear submarines, the Alexander Nevsky and the Vladimir Monomakh, are currently under construction at the Sevmash shipyard and are expected to be completed in 2009 and 2011.

"The construction is going according to schedule," Kalistratov said.

Russia's Navy commander, Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky, said in July that the construction of new-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile and attack submarines is a top priority for the Russian Navy's development.

Under the Russian State Armaments Program for 2007-2015, the Navy will receive several dozen surface ships and submarines, including five Project 955 Borey nuclear-powered strategic ballistic missile submarines equipped with the new Bulava ballistic missiles, two Project 885 Yasen nuclear-powered attack submarines, and six Project 677 Lada diesel-electric submarines.

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