Russian Project 955A Borei-Class Nuclear Submarine Enters Naval Service

The Russian Navy will commission the Project 955A (Borei-A) nuclear-powered strategic submarine ‘Knyaz Vladimir’ today.

“On Russia Day (June 12), the latest Project Borei-A (955A) submarine, Knyaz Vladimir, will enter Naval service,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Thursday.

Around mid-May, the submarine entered final trials. On May 28, the Navy took delivery of the boat from Sevmash Shipyard and signed acceptance certificate.

The Russian Navy currently operates three baseline Project 955 Borei submarines: Yuri Dolgoruky, Vladimir Monomakh and Alexander Nevsky.

This class of boats can carry 16 Bulava missiles and are armed 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.

Knyaz Vladimir was floated out in November 2017. According to the MoD, it is less noisy and features improved maneuvering, depth and armament control systems.

Four more Borei-A submarine are being built currently. There are plans to build two more.