MOSCOW, March 19 (RIA Novosti) – The naval component of Russia’s future strategic non-nuclear deterrence force will consist of warships and submarines armed with high-precision weapons, navy commander Adm. Viktor Chirkov said Wednesday.
According to Chirkov, the core of the force will comprise new Project 885M Yasen-class and overhauled Project 949A Oscar-II-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, as well as Project 677 Lada-class diesel-electric boats.
“The enhanced combat capability of multipurpose nuclear-powered and conventional submarines will be achieved through arming these boats with advanced fully-automated weapons systems,” the admiral said.
The Russian attack submarines are currently armed with a variety of cruise missiles with the range of up to 500 kilometers (over 300 miles), self-guided torpedoes and sea mines.
Chirkov said that the Russian submarines will increase the scope and frequency of their missions around the globe “to guarantee the country’s security.”
