Russian Navy to Sign Contract for 2 Additional Nuclear-powered Submarines

Russia's fleet of Project 955A Borei-class nuclear-powered submarines is set to expand to ten, with the Navy planning to order two new boats during Army 2020 Forum this August.

"A decision has been made to sign a contract at the Army 2020 forum for building two more Borei-A missile-carrying submarines. Under the terms of the contract, both ships will be laid down at United Shipbuilding Corporation's Sevmash Shipyard in 2021. They will be built under the existing state armament program through 2027," a source in the defense industry was quoted as saying by TASS on Friday.

"These will be the ninth and tenth Borei-class submarines," the source added.

The Russian Navy currently operates three baseline Project 955 Borei submarines: the Yuri Dolgoruky, the Vladimir Monomakh and the Alexander Nevsky. While one of Borei-A submarines, Knyaz Vladimir, has completed state trials and is being prepared for its delivery to the Navy, four more are at various stages of construction.

The boats can carry 16 Bulava missiles and are aarmed with 533mm torpedo tubes. Compared to the baseline Borei series, Borei-A subs feature better acoustic stealth, maneuvering and deep-sea running capabilities and an improved armament control system.