The commander in chief of the Russian navy, Viktor Chirkov, told the Ria Novosti news agency.
Considering the time frame necessary for the construction of a new concept submarine - added Chirkov - we cannot waste time due to the rapid scientific and technical progress. Which is why designers set to work on the next generation of submarines as soon as they finish the previous one.
The Russian navy, by the time of the 2020, should bring enough fourth-generation submarines to replace the ancient ships that still sail the sea today. The main role of Hunter Killer will lie with the multi-purpose Yasen-class submarines, while nuclear deterrence will be entrusted to the Borey. After having raised the war flag over the first fourth-generation Yasen-class submarine - concluded Chirkov - our designers set to work on the fifth generation. The new fifth-generation 'Kalina' class submarines could enter production between the 2020 and the 2025. The development of the AIP system should be completed by the 2017, with the first boat equipped with propulsion independent of the air ready by the 2018.
The new propulsion system was developed at the Sevmash shipyard, the largest in the country. The first attack submarine to be equipped with the air independent system will be a 'Lada' class, with delivery scheduled within the 2016. The only submarine class 'Lada', the 'Sankt Peterburg', entered service four years ago, after more than a decade of modifications and sea trials. The production of the 'Lada' was stopped in the 2012, due to changes to the initial project. AIP systems allow the non-nuclear submarine to operate without the use of outside air. The advantages, at least conceptually, are many. While for the reactor of a nuclear submarine cooling liquid must be continuously pumped, generating a certain amount of detectable noise, the non-nuclear battery-powered boats with AIP system, would sail in silence.
A submarine powered by the AIP system could operate on patrol or deterrence missions for 30 / 40 days, estimating about 15 years of development to optimize the new technology. The United States, after some experiments, decided to continue with nuclear propulsion. The 'Lada' class attack submarines The construction of the 'Sankt Peterburg', the first of the '677 Lada project', began in December of the 1997, but the boat was delivered to the Navy for sea trials only in April of the 2010 . The construction of class 'Lada' submarines was suspended immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but the Russian government decided to resume production with two other boats: the "Kronstadt" and the "Sevastopol". The 'Lada' classes will replace the 'Kilo' classes.
A 'Lada' class submarine is equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes and can fire cruise missiles. It is designed to defend naval bases and sea lines. It can be effectively used both against surface ships and against submarines in the Hunter Killer role. The 'Lada' fleet should consist of eight boats in service by the 2020. The Russian Navy is currently based on third-generation submarines, with strategic fourth-class 'Borey' and attack-class 'Yasen' boats, under production.
By the 2020, the new Russian fleet will be composed of eight 'Borey' and eight 'Yasen'. The sixteen boats will become the mainstay of the nuclear-powered submarine fleet. They will be at least for the next two decades. Fifth-generation submarines could enter production in fifteen years.
Franco Iacch
(in the photo: the Sankt-Peterburg, the only Lada-class AIP in service)
