Russia’s Project 955A Nuclear Powered Strategic Submarine Enters Final Trials

Russia’s Project 955A (Borei-A) nuclear-powered strategic submarine ‘Knyaz Vladimir’ has commenced final trials before it enters service with the Navy, the Northern Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.

"On Tuesday evening, the cruiser set off for the White Sea from Severodvinsk for final trials," the press office said in a statement to TASS.

In the autumn of 2019, the ‘Knyaz Vladimir’ had test-fired a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile, an event that had garnered huge international attention on the submarine and its capabilities.

The trials will last several days first in the surfaced and then in the submerged position, the press office specified.

"During the trials, the ironing out of problems surfaced in earlier will be checked, after which the term for including the new vessel into the structure of the Northern Fleet’s submarine forces will be set," the press office said.

The Knyaz Vladimir is the improved Project 955A fourth-generation strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser. It was floated out in November 2017. According to information from Russia’s Defense Ministry, the sub Knyaz Vladimir is less noisy and features improved maneuvering, depth and armament control systems.

The nuclear-powered sub Knyaz Vladimir had Four more Borei-A submarines are at various stages of their construction. Also, a contract has been signed for building two more missile-carrying underwater cruisers of this Project. There are also plans to build two more Borei-A subs.

Project 955 and Project 955A submarines have been developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation). All Borei-class submarines carry 16 Bulava ballistic missiles.