Editorial: 'Mini Red Octobers' - Russia to Push on With Stealth Submarine Program

Image: Wiki Commons

By Franz-Stefan Gady

Despite some media reports to the contrary, the Russian Navy will continue building Lada-class subs.

The Russian Navy will not stop the construction of Project 677 Lada-class diesel-electric attack submarines, the Russian Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov, told TASS in January.

“Following the results of the operational testing of the Kronstadt and Velikiye Luki submarines, the Navy will determine its further quantitative need for the Project 677 Lada. The termination of these submarines’ construction is not being considered at present,” the vice-admiral said.

He denied media reports that the Russian Navy will focus on the fifth-generation diesel-electric attack submarine Kalina project at the expense of the Lada-class.

The Russian Navy initially planned to field three Lada-class submarines by 2018. However, delays in the program have so far only lead to the service entry of the lead vessel of the class, the St. Petersburg in 2010, which has been undergoing operational evaluation ever since.

Read the full story at The Diplomat