Russia Launches New Submarine, President Putin: We Build A Strong And Modern Navy

President Putin during the flag-raising ceremony on the nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Pozharsky. (Source: Kremlin)

JAKARTA - President Vladimir Putin has ensured that Russia will build a strong and modern naval force, to ensure security and defend Russia's national interests.

President Putin was present at the flag-raising ceremony for Knyaz Pozharsky's newest nuclear-powered strategic submarine in Severodvinsk in July.

The flag-raising on a Borei-A-class submarine that has acoustic stealth capabilities and carries the ballistic missile signifies its official launch to operate under the Russian Navy.

"This kind of submarine is at the heart of the naval strategic nuclear power. With its extensive modernization potential, this submarine will ensure the security of our country for decades to come," President Putin was quoted as saying on the Kremlin website September 2.

Project 955A (Borei-A) nuclear-powered strategic submarine Knyaz Pozharsky, built at the Sevmash Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation), is the eighth submarine of a series of Borei/Borei-A nuclear-powered submarines, quoted from TASS.

Each submarine carries 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles with an MIRV warhead (multiple independent targetable reentry vehicle).

Knyaz Pozharsky is equipped with the most advanced radio-electronic system and attack weapons, such as Bulava ballistic missiles, modern torpedo weapons, and sonar countermeasures, President Putin said.

The Kremlin leadership said there are currently more than 70 ships in various stages of construction at the Russian shipyard. In Sevmash there are six new nuclear submarines scheduled to be built by 2030.

"We will fully implement our plans to create a modern and powerful Navy, capable of ensuring Russia's security and maintaining our national interests throughout the World Ocean region. This is unquestionable," he stressed.

President Putin added that the Russian Navy's nuclear fleet will receive four Borei-A Project nuclear-powered strategic submarines armed with Bulava ballistic missiles in the coming years.

"In the coming years, our maritime nuclear forces will receive four more Borei-A Project submarines through planned procedures, two of which are under construction. This latest generation strategic submarine is armed with Bulava ballistic missiles and also other advanced weapons," he said.