Main menu:
Flotsam > 2011
In June 2011 media reported of the completion of the construction of a second "BOREI"-Class submarine for the Russian Navy. This submarine in a series of a total of 8 units announced so far is being built at the Sevmash-Shipyard at Severodvinsk at the White Sea coast, close to Archangelsk, with the new submarines to replace the aging strategic submarines of the "DELTA III" and "DELTA IV"-Class.
Construction of this series (Project 955) started with the keel-laying of the first submarine, the "YURIY DOLGO-RUKIY" (K-535) as early as 1996, experienced, however, several delays due to the ongoing budget constraints of Russia. Therefore, the First of Class did not enter its final fit phase before 2007 and commenced its sea trials not before 2009. The allegedly final sea test- and trial of this submarine started on 07th of June 2011, which included for a second time a launch of the Russian Navy´s new ballistic missile, the SLBM "BULOVA" (RSM-56, NATO designation: SS-NX-30). The second SLBM "BULOVA" launch from "YURIY DOLGORUKIY was successfully carried out on 28th of June 2011. Also, the second and third submarine of the "BOREI"-Class are under construction, the "ALEXANDER NEVSKY (K-550)" since 2004 and the "VLADIMIR MONOMAKH" since 2006, the latter almost complete.
The keel-laying of the fourth submarine, according to recent statements to be named "SVYATITEL NIKOLAI", was scheduled for the 22nd of December 2009, but was delayed repeatedly, although first construction work has star-ted already. Experts assume that the fourth SSBM of the series will be an improved "BOREI II"-Class sub-marine, inter alia to receive 20 vice 16 launch shafts for SLBM-The "BOREI"-Class SSBN have a length of about 170 mtr, a width of 13,5 mtr and a draught of about 10 mtr, their displacement is about 14.700 tons surfaced and 24.000 tons submerged. Their speed shall be some 15 kts surfaced and 26 kts submerged, and their operational diving depth is specified to be 450 mtr. The main armament is delivered by 6 torpedo tubes and 16 launch shafts for SLBM. Their crew is to comprise 107 officers and petty officers (there are no ratings any longer on board). The "YURIY DOLGORUKIY" should reach its full operational readiness soon, she will be assigned to the Russian Pacific Fleet.
The new Type "BULOVA" ballistic missile (SLBM) is a Navy-Version of the shore-based missile SS-27 TOPOL-M. It has three stages, has a length of about 12 mtr and weighs about 36,8 tons, range is about 8.000 km, and there are 6 warheads á 150 KT with each missile. Reports talk of some 124 missiles to be procured, plus another 30 to 40 for tests and trials. The latest test launch from "YURIY DOLGORUKIY" was No. 15 in the current test series, with only 7 being successful so far. 4 more test launches from SSBN are planned in the near future.
Sources : Marineforum, Russian Navy News (http:// rusnavy.com), ITAR TASS
At the end of June 2011 news came out, that the French Navy has ordered a third SSN of the "BARRACUDA"-Class, six of those are planned in total. Beginning in 2017 the "BARRACUDA"-Class SSN shall be commissioned one submarine every other year during the next 10 years, to replace the then aging SSN of the "AMÉTHYSTE"-Class (2) and "RUBIS"-Class (4). The project, estimated to cost about 8 Billion Euros for 6 submarines, was launched in 2008 from initial design to full construction per placing an official order with the state owned shipyard DCN. The "BARRACUDA" SSN are specified to have a displacement of some 4.765 tons surfaced and a length of about 100 mtr. Armament plans are for 4 torpedo tubes to launch torpedoes, SSM and cruise missiles. Also, space shall be available for a 12 head strong commando. The complement is stated to be around 60.
Source: Wikipedia, Marineforum
In our July 2011 issue we did report about news from Iran to further expand its Navy and increase its presence beyond home waters and, in doing so, send for a first time submarines for exercises to the Red Sea. On 06th of July 2011, the Iranian News Agency INRA gave notice of the return of a submarine from the Red Sea. According to that, the Iranian submarine "YOUNES" (also written: "YUNES") was to have entered the Red Sea on 07th of June 2011 and to have left again that sea area on 05th of July 2011, which was part of a two-months exercise of the 14th Iranian Fleet in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. "YOUNES" is one of 3 conventional submarines of the ex-Soviet "KILO"-Class, Iran purchased in 1996. It has a displacement of some 2.300 tons surfaced and 3.200 tons submerged, a length of about 72,6 mtr and a width of about 9,9 mtr, there are 6 torpedo tubes. Names of the other two Iranian submarines of the "KILO"-Class are "NUH" and "TAREGH".
Source: INRA, Wikipedia