Russian Navy to Receive Project 636.3 Submarine ‘Mozhaisk’ this Year

Russian Navy will receive new Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine ‘Mozhaisk’ this year and ‘Novorossiysk’ submarine of the same class after repairs in early 2024.

"State tests of the submarine are coming to a close. The sub will be delivered to the Navy in November this year," Shipyard CEO Andrey Veselov told TASS at the Army 2023 international military-technical forum on Thursday.

Project 636.3 diesel-electric subs have been developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering. A contract for the construction of six submarines for the Russian Pacific Fleet was signed in September 2016.

The Mozhaisk is the fifth Project 636.3 submarine. It was laid down at the Admiralty Shipyard on August 23, 2021 and floated out on April 27, 2023.

A source told TASS that repairs of the Novorossiysk will be completed at the Kronshtadt Marine Plant in April 2024. It is the first in a series of six Project 636.3 subs.

Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class submarines (NATO reporting name: Improved Kilo-II) belong to the third generation of large diesel-electric submarine cruisers. They are 74 meters long and displace more than 3,900 tons. Due to their strong hull, the submarines have an operational depth of 240 meters and can dive to a maximum depth of 300 meters.

The submarines of this Project have an operational range of up to 7,500 miles. They are armed with Kalibr-PL cruise missiles launched from torpedo tubes from the sub’s submerged position.

Project 636 submarines are considered among the world’s quietest underwater cruisers. They can develop a speed of up to 20 knots, have their sea endurance of 45 days and a crew of 52.

The Project 677 Lada-class diesel-electric submarine “Velikiye Luki” will also be delivered to the Navy by the end of this year.