September 15, 200520 yr Russia to Expand Baltic Submarine Fleet By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, MOSCOW DefenseNews Russia’s navy plans to expand its Baltic Sea submarine flotilla from three to as many as nine combat submarines by 2007, the Baltic Fleet’s commander told Interfax-AVN news agency Sept. 15. ”A submarine brigade with between six and nine Project 677 Lada submarines will be formed over the next two years,” Admiral Vladimir Valuyev said. The expansion follows a cut-back in the number of submarines operated by the Baltic Fleet after the Soviet Union’s 1991 collapse, the admiral noted. Of the three subs currently in the fleet, two are in a state of permanent combat readiness. The fourth generation Project 677 Lada submarine can carry up to 18 torpedoes and evade detection by radar. It has a surface speed of 10 knots and travels at 21 knots underwater. The 67-metre (221-foot) long vessel weighs 1,765 tons and can remain underwater for 45 days. The announcement follows a round of sackings and disciplinary measures at the top of Russia’s navy over its performance during the near-fatal snaring of a mini-submarine with seven crew under the Pacific Ocean last month.
Create an account or sign in to comment