The Defense Post:
Russia has launched the Kronshtadt, the second of its diesel Lada-class diesel-electric attack submarines, after numerous delays that stretched its build time to 13 years.
The Kronshtadt was launched in a ceremony at St. Petersburg Admiralty Shipyard on Thursday, September 20, Tass reported. Construction of the submarine, part of the Russian Navy’s Project 677, began in 2005, Admiralty Shipyards CEO Alexander Buzakov said.
“There have been some pauses in construction work and in financing, but the launch day has come at last. The delay in construction work allowed for using the experience gained in building and operating the submarine The St. Petersburg,” the first Lada-class submarine launched in 2004, Buzakov said.
Construction of the submarines was halted for a year after the Russian Navy decided in 2011 that they would not be accepted into service. Construction was restarted the next year after design changes, according to RIA Novosti.
