First Borei Submarine Enters Service

Posted by M Pyadushkin 

The First Borei class (project 955) nuclear-powered submarine, Yuri Dolgorukiy, entered service with the Russian Navy today. The official introduction ceremony was held at Sevmash's Severodvinsk facility although the Navy reportedly signed the acceptance act on December 29, 2012. Yuri Dolgorukiy was laid down in 1996 and the cost of its construction is estimated at 23 billion rubles (about $760 million).

Credit: Oleg Kuleshov / Sevmash

According to Sevmash, the new sub has a length of 170 meters and width of 13.5 meters. It can dive up to 450 meters and has a submerged speed of 29 knots. Borei class submarines are designed to carry 16 R-30 Bulava (SS-NX-30) intercontinental ballistic missiles. The testing of Bulava was completed with a salvo launch in December 2011. This 36.8 ton three-stage missile made 11 successful launches out of total 18 firings. The Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu was cited by the Russian media saying that the completion of the government trials and the sub's introduction into service means that all problems with Bulava has been fixed.

According to the minister, the Navy are to get eight Borei class subs through 2018. The second sub of the class – Alexander Nevsky – conducts trials now and is expected to be taken into service in 2013. The third sub, Vladimir Monomakh, was launched on December 30, 2012. Sevmash is already constructing the submarine Knyaz Vladimir under the improved project 955A.