Russia readies 2 of its most advanced subs for launch

Two of Russia’s most advanced nuclear submarines will be launched in 2017, despite ballooning program costs and delays, according to a report by a Russian state news agency.

Vice Adm. Viktor Bursuk, deputy commander of the Russian navy, said last week that the ballistic-missilecarrying, Borei-class Prince Vladimir and the Yasen-M attack boat Kazan “will be floated out” by the end of next year.

While there had been reports that the vessels would be delayed, Bursuk said the navy expects to take possession of the vessels “within the time limits stipulated by the contract.”

The terms “launched” and “floated out” do not necessarily mean the vessels will be ready for sea trials and commissioning. Once they move from the shipyard to their docks, more systems will likely need to be installed.

The Borei- and Yasenclass boats endured a tortuous development cycle as money dried up after the Soviet Union’s collapse.

The Prince Vladimir will be the first of four more advanced Borei-type subs, known as the Borei-A class, that will enter the fleet.

Construction began on the Vladimir in 2012, and in the coming years, eight Borei-class submarines — five A-types and the three current variants — will be at sea. The keel of the eighth and likely final Borei-A class, the Prince Pozharsky, was laid down last week.

A 2013 article written by a U.S. naval officer for Proceedings magazine discussed the importance of the Borei- and Yasen-class submarines. Lt. Cmdr. Tom Spahn argued that the Borei and Yasen classes would become the backbone of the Russian sub fleet as the Russian navy sought to consolidate the capabilities of its different classes of submarines into two types.

The Borei, which means North Wind, costs $890 million, according to Spahn and has a silent propulsion technology like the new U.S. Virginia attack-class nuclear submarines.

The Borei is also capable of carrying 16 ballistic missiles, while the Borei-A class is rumored to carry 20.

The Yasen class, or Ash Tree, is designed to attack other subs, surface ships and gather intelligence and requires a crew of only around 90, compared with the Virginia class’ 134.

Spahn said the relatively small crew size indicates an advanced level of autonomy in the Russian sub.

The small crew size and high-tech systems might have something to do with its price tag, as the initial Yasen boat, the Severodvinsk, costs roughly $1.5 billion. The second vessel, the Kazan will likely cost double that by the time it takes to the sea.