MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Veliky Novgorod and the Kolpino Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines with advanced stealth technology will join the Russian Black Sea Fleet in October and November correspondingly, Admiralty Shipyards Director General Alexander Buzakov said on Friday.
"The state tests of the fifth [Varshavyanka-class] submarine, the Veliky Novgorod, were successfully completed and on October 25 it will be handed over to the Black Sea Fleet. The transfer of the sixth submarine, the Kolpino, is underway, scheduled to be completed on November 25," Buzakov said during the state acceptance of military production day.
According to Buzakov, after the Veliky Novgorod and the Kolpino join the Black Sea Fleet, all six Project 636 submarines ordered by the Russian Navy will be delivered to the customer since the Novorossiysk, the Rostov-on-Don, the Stary Oskol and the Krasnodar have already joined the fleet.
The Varshavyanka-class (Project 636.3) is an improved version of Kilo-class submarines that features advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.
The vessels, carrying crews of 52, have a top underwater speed of 20 knots and a cruising range of 400 miles (electric propulsion), with the ability to patrol for 45 days. The submarines are armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air missiles.
The submarines are mainly intended for anti-ship and anti-submarine missions in relatively shallow waters.
