Home Europe Russia launches third Yasen-M submarine Novosibirsk

Russia launches third Yasen-M submarine Novosibirsk

Photo: Sevmash

Russian shipbuilder Sevmash floated out Novosibirsk, the Russian Navy’s third nuclear-powered Yasen-M class submarine, in a ceremony in Severodvinsk on December 25.

The submarine was launched after starting construction in 2013. According to the defense ministry, the boat is expected to be commissioned in 2020.

The first Yasen and subsequent Yasen-M submarines (also referred to as Project 885 and Project 885-M), were designed by St. Petersburg-based Malakhit Central Design Bureau and started construction in 2009. They displace 13,800 tons while submerged and are equipped with 24 Oniks (SS-N-26) anti-ship missiles and Kalibr (SS-N-27) land-attack cruise missiles in addition to torpedoes.

The first submarine in the class, Severodvinsk, was delivered to the Russian Navy twenty years after it was laid down in 1993. It started trials in 2011 and was delivered to the navy two years later. The second submarine in the class was launched in March 2017 and is still undergoing trials.

The navy intends to build up to nine submarines in the class. In addition to Severodvinsk, Kazan and Novosibirsk, there are four additional units currently under construction while construction on another two is reported to be set to start next year.

Photo. Russian defense ministry