The Diplomat:
The Russian Navy is slated to launch the first advanced variant of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Project 955A Borei II-class (“North Wind”), or the Dolgorukiy-class, in November, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Korolev said in an interview with Russian media.
“In the near future, the Severodvinsk-based Sevmash Shipyard will float out a new nuclear powered missile underwater cruiser, the Knyaz Vladimir, from the slipway. The event will take place in November,” the admiral said. Russia’s most powerful SSBN to date, the Knyaz Vladimir (Prince Vladimir), was expected to be launched in August. Admiral Korovel did not elaborate on the reason for the delay.
The Knyaz Vladimir will be the lead boat of the improved Borei II-class (also designated Borei-A). The boomer was laid down in July 2012 at the Sevmash Shipyards in Severodvinsk, a port city on Russia’s White Sea. Construction of the new boat began with a two-year delay due to due to contract disputes between the Russian Ministry of Defense and Sevmash Shipyards. The Knyaz Vladimir is expected to be delivered to the Russian Navy in 2018.
