Russia launches new nuclear submarine

Moscow, Apr 15 (UNI) Russia today launched Yury Dolgoruky, a fourth-generation strategic nuclear submarine, at a special ceremony at the shipbuilding yard in Severodvinsk, in northern Russia.

The Borey-class nuclear missile submarine, was built at the Sevmash plant in the northern Arkhangelsk Region.

It will be equipped with the Bulava ballistic missile, which is adapted from the Topol-M (SS-27).

Inaugurating the launching ceremony, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said the Yury Dolgoruky was actually Russia's first new-generation strategic nuclear submarine in the past 17 years.

''You (Shevmash plant) have accomplished a great deed as you have proved that our ship-building continues to develop and Russia is able to produce such unique armament systems,'' Russian news agencies quoted Ivanov as saying.

He said the submarine will undergo sea trials in 2007 and will be fully equipped with weaponry in 2008. After that, it will become operational in the Russian Navy.

The submarine has a length of 170 mt, a body diameter around 13 mt and a submerged speed of about 29 knots. It can carry up to 16 ballistic missiles.

Two other Borey-class nuclear submarines, the Alexander Nevsky and the Vladimir Monomakh, are currently under construction at the Sevmash plant, with a fourth submarine on the future production schedule list.

UNI