The Russian Navy’s second Borei-A submarine entered the water in a July 16 ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.
Knyaz Oleg, as the submarine is named, exited the building hall some six years after first steel works on the boat started in 2014.
Knyaz Oleg is the second improved Borei (Project 955A) submarine, and the fifth nuclear-powered unit in the class. The three Project 955 boats entered service between 2013 and 2014, while the lead Borei-A boat entered service in June this year.
Borei-A submarines feature several design modifications for improved maneuverability and efficiency. Just like Borei, the Borei-A carry 16 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles that were first fielded in 2013.
Commenting on the launch, Sevmash CEO Mikhail Budnichenko noted that Project 955 boats would “determine the face of the Russian Navy in the 21st century.” The submarines are expected to form the backbone of Russia’s nuclear deterrent fleet.
Sevmash is currently working on further three units in the class, Generalissimus Suvorov, Emperor Alexandr III, and Knyaz Pozharsky. According to reports, two more submarines could be ordered this year.
