Navy

Russia’s Latest Diesel-Electric Attack Sub to Commence Sea Trials in 2019

Russia second Project 677 Lada-class diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK), christened Kronstadt, will undergo a series of trials in 2019, the commander in chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolyov, told reporters during a visit to the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering in St. Petersburg this month.

“Serial production of the non-nuclear Lada-class submarines continues. This year, testing will commence on the second non-nuclear Lada-class submarine Kronstadt, which was launched in September 2018,” Korolyov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency on February 22. The Kronstadt, was officially launched at the St. Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyards on September 20 thirteen years after the SSK was laid down.The construction of the Kronstadt was was suspended in 2011 due to a number of design and technical challenges, in addition to a funding shortage, and only restarted in 2013.

“The submarine began to be built in 2005,”Admiralty Shipyard CEO Alexander Buzakov said during the launching ceremony in September 2018. “There have been some pauses in construction work and in financing, but the launch day has come at last. The delay in construction work allowed for using the experience gained in building and operating the submarine The St. Petersburg. By all parameters this submarine surpasses its predecessor – Project 636 [improved Kilo-class]. We are certain that the future of non-nuclear submarine force of the Russian Navy should be pinned on project 677. There will be a large series.”