Russia Has A New Submarine: Quieter And Stealth Capable, Equipped With Kalibr Missiles

Launch of the Project 677 B-586 Class diesel electric submarine Kronshtadt. (TAS/Peter Kovalev)

JAKARTA - Russia has again strengthened its Navy Northern Fleet with the joining of the diesel-electric submarine B-586 Kronshtadt of the 677 Lada Class Project, with its launch being carried out at the Admiralty Shipyard, St. Petersburg at the end of last month.

The ship will enter 161 Submarine Division, 4th Submarine Flotilla from Russia's Northern Fleet.

"This is a big day for the Navy, as we receive new generation submarines based on new physical principles and armed with powerful weapons. The submarine will operate in the Northern Fleet brigade," said Navy Commander Admiral Nikolay Yevmenov at launch, adding the ship had passed a reliability test, maneuverability and stealth feature., reported from TASS February 20.

Despite diesel power, this submarine is the fourth generation to have the ability to operate independently in the face of surface warships and submarines in designated areas, sending cruise missiles to targets on land and anti-submarine defenses in coastal areas.

This 68 meter long ship has a maximum speed below the water of up to 21 knots, with the ability to operate up to a depth of 300 meters. Manned by 35 people, this submarine is equipped with Kalibr missiles and six 533mm torpedo launcher tubes.

Citing The Barents Observer, it took almost 20 years to complete the ship. Construction began in 2005, but was stopped in 2009 and then resumed in 2013.

In a newspaper interview, Rubin design bureau representative Igor Vilnit said Kronshtadt was unique for his silence and his ability to hide from enemy ships.

"The stealth capability has several times exceeded its predecessor," Vilnit told Rossiiskaya Gazeta, in particular highlighting hydro-acoustic capabilities.

"In a duel situation, it is important to find the enemy first and if necessary to succeed in dealing with it. The Project 677 submarine has a powerful hydro-acoustic complex, missiles, torpedoes and radio-electronic weaponry," he explained.

"I want to highlight the hydro-acoustic Lada: not only a wider range of acoustic waves, but also a much larger distance of target discovery. Many efforts have been made to achieve this result," he added.

The new submarine is reportedly equipped with a variety of new equipment and technology, including a design with a new single hull, a steel engine solution for the submarine hull, to Lira sonar and a distantsiya integrated communication system.