RUSSIAN NAVAL PROGRAMMES
years, raising strong doubts that Moscow can indeed upgrade the naval element of its strategic forces which currently provide 19% (636 of 3360 warheads). Work on the Yasen (Project 885) nuclear-
powered attack submarine appears to be continuing at the Severodvinsk yard. This 8600-tonne submerged displacement vessel is intended to replace the Victor III (Project 671) class ships. Meanwhile, Indian Press sources are adamant
that the last of the 12 Project 971 (Akula class) fleet submarines, Cougar and Nerpa, will be leased to India despite the Russian Navy's urgent need for new nuclear submarines. It is clear that New Delhi's indigenous nuclear submarine programme, the 'Advanced Technology Vessel', is slipping badly and that India will pay well to buy the relevant technology, so they may well be transferred despite vigorous official denials by both Moscow and New Delhi. Admiral Masorin has stated the strategic
missile submarines will require smaller 'hunter' ships but it is unclear whether or not he is referring to conventionally- or nuclear-powered ships. It is likely that the latter will be preferred and with planning already underway it is likely the first will appear in 2017. Only the diesel-electric submarine programme
provides a glimmer of hope to Russian planners. The Lada (Project 677) class submarines appear to be worthy successors of the Kilos (Project 877), although at 2650tonnes (submerged) they are slightly smaller, with the first-of-class Sankt Petersburg scheduled to enter service next year. The keel of the fourth boat, Sevastopol, was
laid by the Admiralteyskiye Verfi in November and she will be commissioned in 2011. It appears that this class and her successors are scheduled to remain with the Russian Navy for some 50 years. Their sister ships Kronshtadt will enter service in 2009 and Petrozavodsk (laid down last year) in 2010. Russia's first new amphibious ship for more
than a decade is scheduled to be commissioned this year at the Yantar yard. The Ivan Gren is a modified Alligator (Project 11711E) class Landing Ship Tank (LST) and, if the 5000-tonne design is a success, another five ships will be built. However, the Indian order may also disrupt this programme. If the Russians are serious about resurrecting
their fleet then clearly they will need to improve its support, but there is not the slightest sign that the Defence Ministry is seeking to upgrade its naval bases with new dry docks, maintenance facilities, wharves, accommodation, and storage facilities, indeed it is difficult to say where the billions allegedly allocated for the improved fleet are going. The youngest replenishment ships are the 30-
year-old Boris Chilkin (Project 1559V) class, and all are believed to be single-hull ships. While there is no international legal requirement for naval supply ships to be doubled hulled to prevent pollution in the event of a hull breech, there is considerable moral pressure to adhere to
A Ka-27 helicopter assigned to the Russian destroyer Natoychiviy (DD 610) lands aboard the British Royal Navy frigate HMS Sutherland (F 81) during an exercise.
18 WARSHIP TECHNOLOGY MAY 2007
The Udaloy class destroyer Marshall Shaposhnikov.
The tank landing ship BDK 11.
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