On 25 November, 2019, Saint-Petersburg, Russia based Admiralteiskie Verfi shipyard (United Shipbuilding Corporation) held the ceremony of hoisting RF Navy flag on the first diesel-electric submarine of Project 636.3, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, built for RF Navy’s Pacific Fleet, the shipyard says in a press release.
When speaking at the ceremony, Aleksandr Buzakov, General Director of Admiralteiskie Verfi, said: “The ship has undergone all tests having confirmed all operational characteristics. I would like to emphasize that construction of all other ships in the series proceeds according to the schedule and the series will be completed in 2022”.
According to Vice-Admiral Andrey Volozhinsky, Chief of Naval Operations - First Deputy to Commander-In-Chief of RF Navy, referred to the phase of flag-hoisting to be a real contribution into completion of the shipbuilding programme approved by Supreme Commander of the Russian Federation.
“It is especially encouraging that Admiralteiskie Verfi shipyard has started serial construction of submarines and today’s event is an evidence of that, confirming that the personnel successfully fulfills the task set according to the schedule”, said Andrey Volozhinsky.
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.
The Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the first ship in the series, was laid down in July 2017 and launched in March 2019.
The second ship in the series, the Volhov, is being prepared for launching scheduled for the end of the year. The third and the fourth submarines, the Magadan and the Ufa, were laid down in November with steel cutting ceremony for the fifth one held in October. The series of six submarines is to be completed in 2022.
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.
The Project 636.3 submarines have sea endurance of 45 days, operational depth - 240 m, maximum diving depth - 300 m; submerged endurance with cruising speed - 400 miles; cruising range while snorkeling at a speed of 7 knots (with enhanced fuel stores) – 7,500 miles; displacement of 2,350 tonnes in surface position; torpedo tubes – 6; speed - 18 knots, crew - 52 men.
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.