Russia Launches New SSBN Class

[ORAC]

Russia to Launch New Nuclear Submarine
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, MOSCOW

Russia on April 15 will launch its first new strategic nuclear submarine since the downfall of the Soviet Union, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov told the Interfax news agency April 9.

"This is the first time in 17 years that we are building such a submarine. Another year will be needed to technically equip it in water and to arm it," Ivanov said at a government meeting, attended by President Vladimir Putin.

The nuclear submarine, named Yuri Dolgoruki, will carry Russia's latest intercontinental missiles, the Bulava-M, which went into production last year. The naval Bulava ballistic missiles are equipped with 10 nuclear warheads that have a reach of 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles).

The new vessel will be launched into the White Sea from the Severodvinsk naval base in northwestern Russia.

Russia plans to build three other submarines of the same kind, Ivanov said, adding that the Alexander Nevski and the Vladimir Monomakh were already under construction.

[Wensleydale]

Good job that all our MPAs are being used in the desert then.

[incubus]

Hey, it still seems a little weird seeing Russia issue a press release about the launch of new nuclear submarines!

[ORAC]

Bit of her history from a Russian site:

....On November 2, 1996, construction of "Yuri Dolgoruki", the first sub of a new generation was launched. Originally the submarine was scheduled to enter into service in 2002, and subsequent submarines of the new type were supposed to be commissioned at a rate of one ship per year, so that to keep the sea-based strategic nuclear force at the level of 14-18 SSBNs. However, from the very beginning the work assumed a very slow pace. It is quite notable, that the keel-laying ceremony of the "Yuri Dolgoruki" construction was rather formal -- it was only the fitting boards that was set up....... The pace of works did not improve after that. Particularly, in 1997 construction of the submarine was not funded at all. The launch of the next submarine was cancelled.

Since several subs of this series were supposed to be equipped with the new modification of RSM-52 ("Variant"), after cancellation of the new missile program in Summer of 1998, construction of "Yuri Dolgoruki" was frozen.

Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology was committed to development of the new "Bulava" missile, which according to expert opinions would last at least 7-10 years. Official plans of 1999 had it that deployment of the new "Yuri Dolgoruki"-class subs equipped with new SLBM would begin in 2007.

Because of the delay with construction of new series of SSBNs, a decision was made to resume production of RSM-54 (SS-N-23) missiles for Delta-IV submarines, that was stopped in 1996. Under consideration is the option to deploy modernized variant of RSM-54 "Sineva", that has stages of different dimensions, improved protection against electromagnetic pulse, and missile defense penetration aids.

The new missile is also equipped with a unique satellite navigation system and "Malakhit-3" computing system that were developed for SLBM "Variant".