New Russian sub to trial mid 2004

By Richard Scott

Officials expect Saint Petersburg, the first Project 677 Lada-class diesel-electric submarine for the Russian Federation Navy, to begin sea trials in April 2004.

Saint Petersburg is now 85% complete at the Admiralty Shipyard in St Petersburg, but acknowledged that the boat’s equipment acceptance programme had suffered some slippage. If any further delays are encountered, however, launch may be further delayed until April 2004 (after the Russian winter).

Construction began in 1996. Characterised as a ‘fourth-generation’ diesel-electric submarine, the single-hull design displaces 1,765t surfaced and can carry an outload of 18 weapons.

Key improvements over the earlier Project 636 Kilo-class design include enhanced quietening, a fully integrated multi-array sonar suite, and reduced manning.

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