The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that the new Velikie Luki submarine of project 677 Lada was launched this Friday at the Admiralteiskaya Verf shipyard in Saint Petersburg.
It is a diesel-electric ship that belongs to the fourth generation of conventionally propelled submarines, considered the most modern and promising of its type in Russia, being a milestone in the country’s shipbuilding.
It is the first time since the 1940s that the Russian Navy has used the monohull design for attack submarines. “These ships are monohull, they are more maneuverable and compact,” said the shipyard’s director, Alexander Buzakov. In addition, the submersibles of this project have a lower acoustic signature compared to the previous 636, as well as new combat systems.
The 677 Lada vessels are designed to defend naval bases, sea lanes, and hunt down other submersibles. Its level of stealth has been possible thanks to a modern anti-sonic coating, as well as the use of new technologies and materials during its construction.
Its armament includes 533-millimeter torpedoes, Kalibr-PL high-precision cruise missiles, and anti-aircraft systems. Among other advantages, it has a fast reloading method that allows to launch the entire arsenal of 18 projectiles in a short time.
It has a displacement of 1,765 tons and can descend to a depth of 300 meters. Its autonomy reaches 45 days.
The construction of 12 submarines of the Lada type is planned, part of which will enter service in the Northern Fleet, and the rest will be sent to the shores of Kamchatka, in the Russian Far East.
