Modernized nuclear submarine on sea trials in Arctic waters
The strategic nuclear Delta-IV class submarine K-18 “Kareliya” is soon ready for its first sea trials after modernization to improve its tactical and technical performance.
Mooring trials are currently at the finishing stage and the first sea trials will start in the White Sea in the beginning of November, Advis.ru reports, citing a press report from Zvezdochka.
The submarine has been at the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk, Arkahangelsk Oblast, since October 2004. The modernization has prolonged the submarine’s lifetime with approximately ten years and improved its tactical and technical performance considerably. The submarine is planned to be returned to the Northern Fleet before the end of the year.
According toWikipedia, “Kareliya” is one of seven Delta-IV class nuclear submarines built from 1985 to 1992. All are still in service in the Russian navy today. Five submarines have already gone through modernization at the Zvezdochka shipyard.
After the modernization the submarine’s main weapon system is the Sineva ballistic missile. According to Wikipedia, it can carry ten 100kT warheads. In a test launch on 11 October 2008, an R-29RMU travelled 11,547 kilometers downrange.
