Russia launches new Velikiye Luki submarine capable of carrying Kalibr missiles
Velikiye Luki becomes the third ship in the family of Russian diesel-electric submarines capable of carrying Kalibr missiles.
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New diesel-electric submarine, Velikiye Luki, |
The new diesel-electric submarine, Velikiye Luki, was launched at a ceremony in the northwestern Russian city of Saint Petersburg on December 23. The Russian Defense Ministry said the submarine would be fine-tuned before conducting trials and eventually joining the Russian Navy.
The Velikiye Luki submarine was built at the Admiralty Shipyards of the state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). It is the third submarine in the Lada class of diesel-electric submarines, capable of autonomous deployment for up to 45 days, diving to a depth of 300 meters and reaching speeds of up to 21 knots (nearly 39 km/h) submerged.
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This is the third submarine in the Lada diesel-electric class, capable of autonomous deployment for up to 45 days, diving to a depth of 300 meters and capable of reaching speeds of up to 21 knots (nearly 39 km/h) when submerged. Photo: RTq |
Lada-class submarines are equipped with eight 533mm torpedo tubes, which are used to lay mines and launch Kalibr cruise missiles. These submarines have extremely high stealth capabilities thanks to low noise emissions as well as special coatings on the hull.
Marking the launching event, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Yevtukhov said: “The Project 677 Lada submarine belongs to a new generation of non-nuclear submarines. To date, submarines of this project are recognized as the most modern diesel-electric vessels designed for the Russian Navy. Modern equipment components installed on the ship include: hardware control systems, electric propulsion systems, navigation complexes and other equipment. The Admiralty Shipyard is the only shipyard in Russia that builds ships of this class.”
Earlier this year, the Admiralty Shipyard launched two other vessels of the same class, the Yaroslavl and the Vologda. The shipyard is also developing a second vessel in the Kronshtadt class, which will undergo state trials at the end of December./.
