Replenishment of the submarine forces of the Russian Navy in 2022
December 29: simultaneous delivery of several new ships and submarines
Construction of submarines for the Russian Navy fleet has long been a constant and rhythmic process. The Navy regularly receives new ships of various types, and the industry lays down new hulls. Last year, the fleet was again handed over several new submarines of a number of projects, and in the near future they will begin full-fledged service. In addition, a number of ships are at various stages of construction.
Strategic Direction
As always, the full-scale program for the construction of strategic nuclear submarine missile carriers Project 955 (A) "Borey" receives special attention. Over the past few years, ships of this type have been regularly leaving the stocks and being accepted into the fleet. Last year was no exception.
Almost a year ago, on January 11, 2022, the Sevmash plant (Severodvinsk) launched the SSBN K-553 Generalissimus Suvorov, which has been under construction since 2014. After several months of completion and preparation, in July the submarine was brought to the factory running tests. All such events were successfully carried out within the established time frame. Finally, on December 29, the ceremony of accepting the submarine into the fleet was held at the manufacturing plant. The flag of the Navy was raised on the new cruiser.
The new Generalissimo Suvorov is already the sixth Borey-class submarine and the third ship built according to the updated project 955A. The Sevmash plant and related enterprises have long established a production process, thanks to which the construction was completed on time and without problems.
Conclusion from the slipway of the cruiser "Emperor Alexander III"
The next SSBN of a modern design is intended for the Pacific Fleet. In the coming months, the ship's crew will carry out the necessary training and make the transition to a duty station in the Far East. The Generalissimo Suvorov will become the fourth Borey in the KTOF and will significantly strengthen its strategic component.
Special assignment
Last year, the shipbuilding industry successfully completed one of the special orders of the Ministry of Defense. The Navy received a special-purpose submarine BS-329 "Belgorod". According to various sources, it is the first carrier of the Poseidon heavy underwater unmanned vehicle and is designed to solve special problems.
The future nuclear submarine "Belgorod" was laid down in 1992 and was originally built according to Project 949A "Antey". Later, construction was suspended and resumed, but the deadlines were constantly shifting to the right. In December 2012 Belgorod was relaid under a new special project 09852. The goals and objectives of such a project and the future capabilities of the submarine were not specified at that time.
Belgorod was taken out of the shed and launched in April 2019. After the necessary preparations, the ship entered the factory sea trials. Due to the special nature of the project, the audits and other activities took a considerable amount of time. So, the submarine entered the state tests only at the end of 2021.
The flag of the Navy on the special nuclear submarine "Belgorod", July 8, 2022
The necessary work took only a few months. On July 8 last year, the United Shipbuilding Corporation announced that the special submarine BS-329 Belgorod had been accepted by the customer. The act of acceptance was signed, and the flag was raised on the ship. During the solemn ceremony, it was said that the new submarine will be able to carry out various scientific and rescue missions - but without specifying their nature and specific tasks.
Non-atomic successes
The development of a non-nuclear submarine fleet also continues. The main role in these processes remains with the construction of diesel-electric submarines pr. 636.3 "Varshavyanka". Ships of this type are being built at the Admiralty Shipyards (St. Petersburg), and it is showing great success.
On March 31 last year, at the Admiralty Shipyards, another Varshavyanka was launched - the B-588 Ufa submarine, laid down in November 2019. At the end of June, the ship entered factory sea trials. Over the next few months, state trials began. Finally, on November 16, the submarine was accepted into the fleet.
The new "Ufa" has already become the tenth modern diesel-electric submarine pr. 636.3. It is intended for the Pacific Fleet and is the fourth "Varshavyanka" in its composition of the six planned. In the coming months, the crew will make an inter-naval transition and begin full-fledged service.
Further development of the non-nuclear component of the submarine forces is also associated with project 677 Lada. In the early stages, the construction of such ships encountered certain difficulties, but the situation gradually improved. Now we are talking about certain successes and real groundwork for the future.
Diesel-electric submarine "Ufa", accepted into the fleet, November 16, 2022
In December last year, Admiralty Shipyards submitted the first production diesel-electric submarine, pr. 677, Kronstadt, for state tests. In a few months it can be transferred to the customer. On December 23, the next ship of the series, Velikiye Luki, was launched. While it is being completed near the embankment, it is expected to enter the factory tests in the coming months.
Soon
The construction of submarines for the Russian Navy continues. Last year, the industry not only handed over finished ships, but also continued other work. The first results of such activities will appear in the coming months.
Thus, work continues to strengthen the strategic component of the submarine forces. On December 29, 2022, simultaneously with the acceptance of the Generalissimo Suvorov, the next Borea, the SSBN Emperor Alexander III, was launched. In the middle of 2023, this submarine is to be tested, and at the end of the year it may be accepted into the Navy.
Since last summer, the multi-purpose nuclear submarine K-571 Krasnoyarsk, the third representative of Project 885M Yasen-M, has been on sea trials. It was previously reported that it would be handed over by the end of 2022. However, this did not happen, and the raising of the flag on the ship will take place in the new 2023. In addition, the next Yasen, K-564 Arkhangelsk, should be launched this year.
Work will continue on the direction of non-nuclear submarines. In the first half of the year, the fifth Varshavyanka for KTOF will be launched into the water. Then the new "Mozhaysk" will pass the necessary tests, and it can be handed over to the customer "under the Christmas tree". In parallel, the construction of the sixth diesel-electric submarine for the Pacific Fleet will continue. It also cannot be ruled out that the following ships will be laid down this year under regular contracts.
"Velikiye Luki" pr. 677 before launching, December 23, 2022
The new year 2023 will be of great importance for the Lada project as well. In the coming months, the delivery of the first serial Kronstadt is expected. In addition, in the absence of serious difficulties, Velikie Luki may also be commissioned this year. The construction of the other two diesel-electric submarines is likely to be completed later.
Results of the year
Last year, our navy received three new submarines of different classes and types with fundamentally different capabilities. With their help, both the strategic nuclear forces and the non-nuclear component of the fleet are replenished. In addition, one of the new submarines, the special "Belgorod", has completely new goals and objectives, although all of its capabilities have not yet been disclosed.
With all this, the Navy and industry continue to build new submarines, test already built ships, etc. New results of such processes are expected in the near future. This year, the Navy will again be able to receive at least three submarines of different types with different capabilities.
Thus, the submarine forces - like the navy as a whole - continue to develop and update. New combat units are regularly laid down, launched and put into operation. The industry successfully copes with the tasks set and solves the problems that arise. Thanks to this, the Navy can count on a timely and complete renewal of the ship's composition.
- Ryabov Kirill
- "OSK", Administration of the President of the Russian Federation
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