Russia has launched its new state-of-the-art Novorossiysk
submarine, which set sail from a St Petersburg shipyard to become the first of
six diesel-electric stealth subs delivered to the Russian Black Sea fleet in
the next two years.
The Novorossiysk belongs to the Varshavyanka-class
(Project 636), which is characterized by advanced stealth technology, making it
virtually undetectable when submerged.
“Our potential opponents call it the ‘Black Hole’
due to the very low noise emission and visibility of the
submarine,” Konstantin Tabachny, captain of the Novorossiysk, told Channel
One TV. “To be undetectable is the main quality for a submarine. And this
whole project really fits its purpose.”
The construction of the Novorossiysk at St
Petersburg’s Admiralty Shipyards took over three years, beginning in August
2010.
Construction was also started on two other
Varshavyanka-class vessels – the Rostov-on-Don sub in November 2011 and the
Stary Oskol in August 2012.
Armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air
missiles, they have an extended combat range and can strike land, surface and
underwater targets.
The Novorossiysk and other subs of its class can
reach a speed of 20 knots (37 kilometers per hour).
With a cruising range of 400 miles on electric propulsion and max submission of 300 meters, the vessels have the ability to patrol for up to 45 days with a crew of 52 people onboard.
The Varshavyanka-class subs will be tasked with
patrolling Russia’s maritime borders and protecting Black Sea coastal
territories.
The Novorossiysk will be deployed in its namesake
port of Novorossiysk, on the Black Sea.
The sub will make the two-month journey to its home
port under its own power, said Rear Admiral Victor Bursuk, the deputy commander
of the Russian Navy.
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