MOSCOW. July 7 (Interfax) - The Kronstadt diesel submarine built for Russia's Northern Fleet is undergoing factory sea trials in the Baltic Sea, the Baltic Fleet said on Friday.
"The Kronstadt submarine practiced diving to a depth of 180 meters in the Baltic Fleet's sea ranges as part of factory sea trials," it said.
During the dive, the crew checked the functioning of all of the submarine's systems and mechanisms, and practiced controlling it in deep waters and when using various surfacing methods.
"The submarine's diving action was supported by Baltic Fleet warships and the SS-750 rescue vessel. Navy Commander Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov was informed about how the trials proceeded," it said.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on March 7 that the Kronstadt should join the Northern Fleet.
"[We] plan to equip the submarine with Kalibr cruise missiles and cutting-edge radar, hydro-acoustic and navigation systems," Shoigu said at a meeting that took place at the time.
The Project 677 Lada submarine named the Kronstadt belongs to the fourth generation of conventional submarines tasked with countering enemy surface ships and submarines, protecting naval bases, the coastline and maritime routes, and delivering missile strikes on hostile coastal facilities.
Project Lada submarines are armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, designed by the Novator Bureau of Almaz-Antey. The submarines with a displacement of 1,800 tonnes are low noise, and have a top speed of 21 knots and a diving depth of 350 meters. They have a crew of 36.
Project 677 Lada submarines are built by the Admiralty Shipyards, which specializes in building modern diesel submarines. The Admiralty Shipyards has delivered a series of Project 636.3 diesel submarines to the Black Sea Fleet, and is building a series of them for the Pacific Fleet.
Project 677 Lada submarines were designed at the end of the 20th century. The lead submarine of the project, the St. Petersburg, was laid down in 1997 and delivered to the Navy in 2010, and it has been attached to the Northern Fleet for experimental operations. The subsequent submarines in the project, the Kronstadt and the Velikiye Luki, were laid down in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Yevmenov said in November 2019 that the Navy still required Project 677 Lada submarines.
"Having one series and one project [of conventional submarines] is like having just one pair of shoes. Once they've gotten wet, that's it. The need for Project 677 still exists, but it will be updated and adjusted depending on the operations of the first vessels of the project," he said at the time, adding that the Navy was also interested in the construction of Project 636.3 submarines.