Sevmash shipyard handed over SSBN «Knyaz Vladimir» to Northern Fleet

On June 1st, the Day of the Northern Fleet, Navy Commander Nikolay Evmenov signed the approval document of the long-delayed ballistic missile submarine, the Russian navy’s information service reports. 

Admiral Evmenov said the solemn ceremony for the submarine will soon follow. The admiral’s signature is a milestone for the submarine that originally was supposed to be handed over from the Sevmash yard to the Northern Fleet in 2017. 

Technical problems, however, delayed both the construction and the commissioning. Last fall, the plan was to deliver the submarine by year-end, as the Sevmash yard in Severodvinsk celebrated its 80th anniversary. Further troubles, though, caused further delays. 

In mid-May, “Knyaz Vladimir” sailed out to the White Sea on a final test voyage making sure previously discovered technical challenges were solved. 

Following the voyage, the final acceptance certificate was signed at the Sevmash yard on May 28th after the successful completion of all stages of the ship’s testing that confirmed its readiness for transfer to the Navy, the Sevmash yard informs. 

“Knyaz Vladimir” will be the first new ballistic missile submarine delivered to the Northern Fleet since January 2013, when the first of the Borei-class, the “Yury Dolgoruky” entered service.

In a significant difference to the “Yury Dolgoruky”, the “Knyaz Vladimir” has another looking exterior. The tower doesn’t have the front overhang, the bow is more streamlined and the superstructure of the hull is changed. The biggest differences, however, are likely inside where more of the control room and steering gear are computerized.

Improvements include vertical endplates to the hydroplanes for higher maneuverability, improved pump-jet propulsion system making the submarine quieter.

The submarine can carry 16 Bulava missiles. Each missile is believed to hold 6 to 10 nuclear warheads, bringing the total number of nuclear warheads onboard the submarine up to somewhere between 96 and 160. 

Gadzhiyevo on the Barents Sea coast will be the submarine’s new home base, together with the six Delta-IV submarines and the “Yury Dolgoruky” Borei-class. 

A total of eight Borey-A class submarines are expected to be built at the Sevmash yard. Additional to “Knyaz Vladimir”, four others are already at different stages of construction, while the two last are planned to be laid down later in 2020.

Half of the submarines will be based with the Northern Fleet on the Kola Peninsula, while the other half will sail for Russia’s Pacific Fleet.