
Russia has unveiled its 'stealth sea ghost' submarine – but the diesel-electric vessel can only operate for weeks without surfacing while Britain's HMS Artful can stay submerged for months.

The Russian Navy's Project 677 submarine Kronstadt was launched in a special ceremony at the Admiralty Shipyard in St Petersburg on Thursday.

Navy personnel watched as the impressive 68-metre vessel was wheeled into the shipyard for the occasion.

The Russian Navy Project 677 diesel-electric submarine Kronstadt was launched at the Admiralty Shipyard in St Petersburg

The 68-metre diesel-electric submarine is seen being transported during a launching ceremony at the Admiralty Shipyard

Navy personnel watched as the impressive 68-metre vessel was wheeled into the shipyard for the ceremony on Thursday

Admiralty Shipyard CEO Alexander Buzakov said the importance of the event was 'hard to overestimate,' TASS reports.

The Kronstadt began to be built in 2005, but there were breaks in construction due to financing, he said. The project resumed construction in 2013.

'The launch day has come at last,' he said. '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.

The Kronstadt submarine is seen being christened during the launch ceremony in St Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday

Workers atop the submarine, which will carry six torpedo launchers for a mix of 18 torpedoes or tube-launched missiles

The diesel-electric submarine Kronstadt is seen after the christening ceremony in the Admiralty Shipyard in St Petersburg

THE KRONSTADT Length: 68m Propulsion: 2 diesel generators, an electric propulsion motor, 2 diesel AIP systems based on oxygen-hydrogen fuel cells and a single shaft driving on a skewed seven-bladed propeller Submerged displacement: 2,650 tonnes Endurance: 45 days Speed: 21 knots when submerged Weapons: Six 533-mm torpedo launchers for a mix of 18 torpedoes or tube-launched missiles, including Kalibr or Oniks cruise missiles Advertisement

HMS ARTFUL Length: 97m Propulsion: Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor, 600 kilowatt diesel generators Submerged displacement: 7,400 tonnes Endurance: 90 days Speed: 30 knots when submerged Weapons: Armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, Artful will be able to strike at targets up to 1,200m from the coast with pinpoint accuracy Advertisement

'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.'

Russia's ministry of defence announced in June last year that Project 677's newest submarine – equipped with 'high-precision' weapons - would be launched this year.

Project 677 submarines, of the Lada class, are part of the fourth generation of Russia's non-nuclear submarines.

They carry six 533-mm torpedo launchers for a mix of 18 torpedoes or tube-launched missiles, including Kalibr cruise missiles.

They carry a crew of 35, have a displacement of about 1,750 tonnes when in the surface position and 2,650 when submerged and travel under water at a maximum speed of 21 knots.

HMS Artful - the 97 metre long nuclear-powered attack submarine is seen during a ceremony marking the end of its build process in Barrow-in-Furness in 2013

The HMS Artful, which can go three months without surfacing, is commissioned into the Royal Navy in Faslane, Scotland on March 18, 2016

Servicemen at a launching ceremony for the Russian Navy's diesel-electric submarine Kronstadt at the Admiralty Shipyard

The Kronstadt will be the Russia's first air-independent propulsion (AIP) boat, which will allow it to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen

Dubbed the 'stealth sea ghost,' it will only be able to operate submerged for a few weeks before needing to surface

The Kronstadt will be the Russia's first air-independent propulsion (AIP) boat, according to the Strategic Culture Foundation, which will allow it to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen.

Dubbed the 'stealth sea ghost,' it will only be able to operate submerged for a few weeks before needing to surface.

In comparison, the British Navy's HMS Artful is able to circumnavigate the planet without resurfacing as it can purify air and water.

But the vessel does need to surface at least every 90 days or so as it can only carry three months' supply of food for its 98 officers and ratings.

The Kronstadt has a submerged displacement of 2,650 tonnes of water, can travel at a maximum speed of 21 knots when under water and can go 45 days without surfacing

Russian Navy officers watch as the impressive Kronstadt - part of the fourth generation of Russia's non-nuclear submarines - is launched at a special ceremony