Russia keel-lays new submarine as it moves to strengthen naval power

A ceremonial keel-laying for the new Russian Project 677 diesel-electric submarine Maloyaroslavets was held on August 27 at the Admiralty Shipyards of the United Shipbuilding Corporation in St. Petersburg, as Russia moves to strengthen its naval power.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nikolai Patrushev, an aide to the Russian president and chairman of the Maritime Board, said Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a strategy for the development of the Russian Navy through 2050 in 2025, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The strategy outlines plans to strengthen the country’s naval capabilities, with modernisation of the submarine fleet listed among the top priorities.

“I am confident that the highly professional team at Admiralty Shipyards, with its extensive experience in building surface ships and submarines, will, in cooperation with the teams of partner enterprises, successfully carry out the task at hand,” Patrushev noted, wishing the company’s workforce success in fulfilling its mission.

The Maloyaroslavets will become the fifth submarine in the Project 677 Lada series and the sixth vessel of the project to be built at Admiralty Shipyards based on a design by the Rubin Design Bureau.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov