Russia’s Black Sea Fleet will have seven diesel-electric submarines by 2017, the fleet’s commander, Rear Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov, said on Monday.
There is only one submarine, the Alrosa, a Kilo class vessel, currently in service with the Black Sea Fleet. The Alrosa joined the Russian Navy in 1990.
Russia is planning to add six Varshavyanka class (Project 636.3) submarines to the fleet. All six are in different stages of construction at the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg.
“We will receive the first three subs in 2014, one more – in 2015, and the last two – in 2016 to form a full-size submarine brigade in the Black Sea Fleet,” Fedotenkov said.
The vessels, crewed by 52 submariners, have an underwater speed of 20 knots, a cruising range of 400 miles (electric propulsion) with the ability to patrol for 45 days. They are armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air missiles.
The improved Varshavyanka class submarines feature advanced “stealth” technology, extended combat range and ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.
Fedotenkov also said that the Black Sea Fleet would receive Krivak IV class frigates during the same period.
