Admiralteiskie Verfi shipyard (United Shipbuilding Corporation) says it has launched the diesel-electric submarine of Project 636.3, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, built for RF Navy’s Pacific Fleet. According to the shipyard, the launching ceremony has been held today, 28 March 2019.
When speaking at the ceremony, Igor Mukhametshin, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of RF Navy, submarines of this class have already confirmed their high efficiency, particularly during their missions in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky submarine was laid down in July 2017. Under the contract, it is to be delivered to the customer before the end of this year.
The hull of the second ship in the series, the Volhov, is being assembled with the construction of two more submarines, the Magadan and the Ufa, being in the phase of hull blocks formation and hydraulic tests.
The contract for construction of six submarines of Project 636.3 for RF Navy’s Pacific fleet was signed by Admiralteiskie Verfi and RF Defence Ministry in September 2016 at International Military Technical Forum Army-2016 in Moscow.
Submarines of the modified 636 projects feature enhanced (compared to previous projects) combat characteristics. Non-nuclear powered submarines of improved Kilo-class (NATO reporting name) or Varshavyanka class advanced project 636 feature an optimal combination of stealth capabilities and target detection range, the newest navigation system, modern automated information management system, powerful high-speed torpedo and missiles. The boats are mainly intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters. Admiralteiskie Verfi is the leader in construction of such submarines having been building them for export from 1983.
Admiralteiskie Verfi JSC (Admiralty Shipyards) is a key enterprise of shipbuilding, a centre of conventional submarine building of Russia. The shipyard is affiliated with the United Shipbuilding Corporation. A number of contracts are being successfully implemented at the shipyard for domestic and foreign customers. Two series of submarines are under construction now for RF and foreign Navies. Besides, a series of patrol icebreakers for RF Navy, a series of large shipping trawlers, the Victor Chernomyrdin icebreaker and a unique ice-resistant platform Severny Polyus are under construction. The Company’s staff numbers 6,700 persons. In 2019, the shipyard celebrates its 315th anniversary.