Fifth-Generation Russian Subs To Get Military Robots

Russia's fifth-generation submarines will be armed with military robots, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy told Ria Novosti today.

"The combat capabilities of the multipurpose nuclear and conventional submarines will be improved in the future through integration of promising robotic systems into their weaponry," admiral Viktor Chirkov was quoted as saying. 

According to Chirkov, tough laws of shipbuilding demand to avoid pauses in the creation of new generations of submarines. This is due to the construction time, cyclical use of ships and submarines, and the rapid development of scientific and technical progress.

"Therefore, we demand from the industry to avoid pauses and start designing the next generation of submarines as soon as they finish designing the previous one," Commander-in-Chief said.

Currently, the fourth-generation ships are passing into service of the Russian Navy – the Yasen-class nuclear multipurpose attack submarines [NATO reporting name: Severodvinsk] and the Borey-class ballistic missile submarines, according to the report. 

After raising a flag over the leading Yasen-class submarine, Chirkov said that the fifth-generation submarines are already being designed, the report added.