The keel-laying ceremony was held at Sevmash Shipyards in Severodvinsk, Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg, and Amur Shipyard in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The keelplates were placed on two Project 955A nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) Borei-A-class submarines, ‘Knyaz Potemkin’ and ‘Dmitry Donskoy’, two improved Kilo-class Project 636.3 submarines, ‘Mozhaisk’ and ‘Yakutsk’, as well as two corvettes: The Project 20380 (Steregushchiy-class) ‘Grozny’ and the Project 20385 (Gremyashchiy-class) ‘Buyny’.
“I congratulate all shipbuilders and sailors of Russia on a new important stage in the development of our country’s Navy – the start of construction of another series of modern ships.”
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia.
According to an official released by the Kremlin, all ships will be equipped with modern high-precision weapons and the latest control and communication equipment. The effectiveness of most of them has been proven in the course of combat missions in Syria.
“I have said more than once and would like to reiterate: a strong, sovereign Russia needs a powerful, balanced Navy. Today the Navy plays the key role in our nation’s security, firmly defends our national interests, and makes a tangible contribution to strengthening strategic parity and international stability.”
“We will continue to develop Russia’s naval potential, improve the fleet’s basing system and infrastructure, provide the ships with the latest weapons and equipment, practice complex training and combat missions during exercises and long-distance sea voyages, and conduct “demonstration” of the Russian flag in strategically important areas of the world’s oceans.”
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia.
About Project 955A Borei-A
Fourth-generation SSBN of projects 955 and 955A will be the backbone of Russian strategic nuclear naval forces for decades. They carry 16 Bulava R-30 intercontinental solid-fuel ballistic missiles. Their range exceeds 9 thousand km. A salvo from SSBN can destroy dozens of targets. It is impossible to intercept the missiles, as they carry multiple independently-guided reentry vehicles.
K-549 Knyaz Vladimir (Князь Владимир) is the first of the improved Pr.0955A (aka 09552) Borei-II or Borei-A (Borey-A) variant which forms the backbone of Russia’s at-sea nuclear deterrent. According to Covert Shores, the design incorporates many Western design influences with new tail configuration and sail which resemble US Navy submarines. The first three Pr.955 BOREI Class boats were constructed from unfinished hull sections from AKULA Class attack submarines and OSCAR Class cruise missile submarines. The Borei-A is however completely new-build. Overall dimensions are not significantly altered and internal layout is probably very similar, although the new construction may have allowed some internal redesigns.The most visible difference from the baseline Pr.0955 is the western-style all-moving vertical rudders.
The Russian Navy command said upgraded SSBN of project 955A will be more maneuverable underwater. They will get upgraded arms controls. The new hull lines will better keep the sub at a depth.
Already three Project 955 submarines are currently in service. The five others expected are 955A. The Pacific fleet will receive upgraded submarines of project 955A.
About Project 636.3 / Improved Kilo-class
Project 636.3 submarines (Improved Kilo by NATO classification) are the third generation of diesel-electric submarines. They develop underwater speed of 20 knots, submerge to 300 meters and have the cruising capacity of 45 days. The crew comprises 52 men, the underwater displacement is close to four thousand tons. They carry Kalibr missiles to strike at surface (3M-54 and 3M-541) and ground targets (cruise missiles 3M-14) and have new electronic equipment.
Project 20385 Corvette Gremyashchy-class
Based on the Project 20380 (Steregushchiy-class) Project 20385 corvettes are designed by Almaz bureau. The « Gremyashchiy » is the lead corvette in a series of two ships and was laid down on 2012. It is fitted with 1 x 8 UKSK VLS cells for Kalibr-NK cruise missile systems, 2 x 8 VLS for Redut anti-aircraft systems, 2 x 4 330 mm torpedo tubes for Paket-NK antisubmarine systems and an AK 630M CIWS.
The Project 20385 corvette is designed for strike missions and anti-submarine warfare. The ship has a displacement of 2,500 t, a length of 106 m, a width of 13 m, a speed of 27 knots, a range of 4,000 nautical miles, and a crew of 99 servicemen. The ship can accommodate a Kamov Ka-27 (Helix-A) naval rotorcraft.
