Article Posted on : - Apr 16, 2010

The Oscar class nuke submarine of Russia. The new Graney-class attack subs are set to replace the Soviet-era Akula class and Oscar class subs.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has delayed the launch of its new Graney class nuclear attack submarine, Severodvinsk, citing technical reasons.

The multi-purpose nuclear attack submarine, the first of Project 885 Yasen (Graney) class attack sub, was earlier scheduled to be floated out on May 7, 2010.

“The launch of the new Severodvinsk submarine has been delayed for technical reasons,” a source at the Sevmash shipyard which is constructing the ship, told RIA Novosti.

The vessel will be floated out for sea trials later this year, the source said. It is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy by late 2010 or early 2011.

The Graney-class nuclear attack submarines are based on the Russian Akula-class and Alfa-class submarines. Russia is presently constructing two such subs – Severodvinsk and Kazan – to replace the Soviet-era Akula class and Oscar class subs.

The new submarines combine the ability to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles (up to 5,000 km) with nuclear warheads, and effectively engage submarines, surface warships and surface targets.

Each vessel’s armament consists of 24 cruise missiles that include the 3M51 Alfa SLCM, the SS-NX-26 Oniks SLCM or SS-N-21 Granat/Sampson SLCM, and also anti-ship missiles such as the SS-N-16 Stallion.

The vessel has eight torpedo launchers and has a water displacement capacity of 5,800-7,700-9,500 tonne in surfaced condition and 8,200-13,800 tonne in submerged condition.