Article Posted on : - Nov 22, 2011

A file photo

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian Navy plans to induct around 10 conventional submarines in its Baltic Sea and Black Sea fleets by 2020.

"The Russian Navy expects to receive 8-10 diesel submarines by 2020," Ria Novosti quoted a Navy official as saying.

On Monday, the Admiralteiskie Verfi shipyard began the construction of Project 636.3 Kilo-class submarine.

The Rostov-on-Don diesel-electric submarine will be the first of five such vessels the shipyard will build for the Russian Navy, Verfi's acting chief Alexander Buzakov said, without giving a timeline of delivery.

The new Kilo-class submarines will have an underwater speed of 20 knots, a cruising range of 400 miles with the ability to patrol for 45 days.

The vessels will be armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air missiles.

The modernised Kilo-class subs will also have stealth capability, extended combat range and ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.

The Russian Navy currently operates 20 diesel-electric submarines.