MOSCOW. Feb 1 (Interfax-AVN) - One multirole and two strategic nuclear submarines could be transferred to the Russian Navy before the end of 2013, a Russian defense industry source who oversees warship construction projects told Interfax-AVN on Friday.
"We expect that the missile-carrying Project 955 Borei strategic submarines Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Monomakh and the Project 885 Yasen multirole nuclear submarine Severodvinsk will join the Navy before the end of December. At least, such a task has been set," the source said.
"The transfer of the Alexander Nevsky and Severodvinsk submarines to the Navy, which was initially set for 2012, was rescheduled to a later date due to unfinished state-commissioned trials, which will be resumed in summer and should be completed in autumn this year," the source said.
A test launch of a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile, set for July, will round off the Alexander Nevsky trials, should it be successful, he said.
The Severodvinsk crew, for their part, will have to test an Onyx anti-ship missile system, which is used in operations against marine targets.
"As far as the Vladimir Monomakh is concerned, this submarine, which left the Sevmash workshop at the end of December, is currently undergoing mooring trials. Its performance trials by the manufacturer are expected to start in late June or early July, after which possible flaws will be fixed and it will be sent for state-commissioned trials. One Bulava launch will be conducted at their end," the source said.
"The Vladimir Monomakh is highly likely to join the Navy this year, at least this deadline is set by the previously signed state contract," he said.