Russia is preparing to begin work next month on a new advanced nuclear-armed submarine, RIA Novosti reported yesterday (see GSN, June 18).
"A second Yasen-class nuclear submarine will be laid down on July 24 at the Sevmash shipyard on the eve of Russian Navy Day," said Malakhit design bureau chief Vladimir Pyalov.
The submarine would be capable of launching several different models of long-range, nuclear-tipped cruise missiles farther than 3,000 miles. The vessel could also engage in close combat with enemy warships and submarines.
Construction of the first Yasen-class submarine, called the Severodvinsk, has been fraught with delays and cost overruns. Work on that vessel began in 1992, and it is not scheduled to join the fleet until 2010. It would carry 24 cruise missiles. As of last year, the Severodvinsk had cost $146 million.
Russia is planning to build several additional military watercraft by 2015 -- including five Borei-class submarines that would carry nuclear-armed Bulava ballistic missiles (RIA Novosti, June 25).i