Monday, December 15, 2014

Russian Navy Accepts Third Borei-class Ballistic Missile Submarine

The Russian Navy has accepted its third Project 955 Borei-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) ahead of a formal ceremony next week, according to Russian press reports.

Russian officials signed a letter of acceptance on Wednesday at the Sevmash shipyard for Vladimir Monomakh (K-551) SSBN, reported the TASS wire service.

The Russian Navy will hoist their naval ensign on Dec. 19 in a tradition similar to the U.S. Navy’s ship commissioning ceremony.

The 19,400-ton boat is armed with 16 Bulava nuclear submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and is slated to replace the Project 941 Typhoon-class and Project 667BDRM Delta IV-class boomers.

The next SSBN in the class — Knyaz Vladimir — is designated as a Project 955A Borei II and could be capable of fielding up to 20 Bulavas and is currently under construction, according to Naval Institute’s Combat Fleets of the World.

No comments: