November 17, 2017

Russian shipbuilder Sevmash launched the Russian Navy’s first modernized, Borei-A (Project 955-A) submarine Knyaz Vladimir at its shipyard in Severodivnsk on November 17.

The nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) is now set to undergo factory and state tests before entering service.

According to Russian Navy commander in chief, Admiral Vladimir Ivanovich Korolev, four more SSBNs hulls are under construction at Sevmash. The future submarines will be named Knyaz Oleg, Generalissimus Suvorov, Imperator Alexander III and Knyaz Pozharsky.

Knyaz Vladimir is expected to be delivered to the Russian Navy in 2018 after starting construction in 2012.

Compared to the first three Borei boats, inducted into the navy between 2013 and 2014, Borei-A boats are built with four additional missile tubes making them capable of carrying a total of 20 Bulava (RSM-56) ballistic missiles. Apart from missiles, the new boats reportedly benefit from improved acoustics and better sensors.

The Russian Navy intends to operate a total of eight Project 955 and 955-A boats. The keel for the final one, the Kniaz Pozharsky, was laid in Severodvinsk on December 23, 2016.