MOSCOW, December 23. /ITAR-TASS/. Borei-class submarines should form the basis of the naval component of Russia’s nuclear triad, President Vladimir Putin said at a ceremony of inducting the Alexander Nevsky ship into the Russian Navy.
Putin congratulated the Defence Ministry and employees of the defence industry on inducting the ship to the Russian Navy.
“I want to congratulate all of you on this event. I want to say it is very important for the Navy and the Russian Armed Forces as a whole. I mean that the arsenal of certain nuclear countries has only four nuclear submarines. And these are great powers,” the president said.
At present, the Navy has an absolutely new missile carrier. “Constructors, engineers and works of Sevmash Shipyard made big contribution to the country’s defence capacity. I want to thank everyone for the work. The carrier was started building in 2004. I remember how it was being designed. I visited the shipyard twice,” he said.
“Such submarines should form the basis of the naval component of Russia’s nuclear triad. I remember that the Yuri Dolgorukiy submarine was inducted into the Russian Navy in January 20-13,” Putin said, adding that the Alexander Nevsky submarine was the first follow-on ship of this project.
At present, the construction of the Vladimir Monomakh submarine is being completed. “Next year it should take over the watch,” the president said.
“Eight nuclear submarines of Borei-class and Borei 1 class should be inducted to the Russian Navy. Thus, we’ll renovate the naval component of the nuclear triad,” he said, adding “Eight Yassen-class multi-role submarines should be included in the fleet till the year 2020. Sevmash Shipyard has practically ended the Severodvinsk leader ship.”
Putin said it was necessary to develop the coastal infrastructure. “It is desirable to make the coastal infrastructure ready for receiving new missile carriers and other ships,” he said.
Speaking about social guarantees for servicemen, the president said a programme for giving servicemen permanent housing should be over within days and weeks.
“I hope that I’ll be able to debrief you shortly,” Putin told Shoigu.
The president talked with the commander of the Alexander Nevsky submarine. It turned out to be that the crew stayed in Severodvinsk from 2010.
The commander said, “This is an excellent ship. During the sea trials, the ship fulfilled all tasks. It has high-performance manoeuvring data. The ship is equipped with up-to-date electronics.”
In the meantime, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Borei-class nuclear submarines would strengthen the country’s defensive power.
“Such nuclear missile submarines will become the basis of Russia’s naval strategic nuclear forces within the nearest 10 years,” the minister said.
On December 21, the Severodvinsk shipyard marked the 74th anniversary of the enterprise. “For many years the shipyard has been doing its best to create modern naval equipment and effectively using high technology,” he said.
The shipyard built 129 nuclear submarines - more than any other shipyard, Shoigu said.
“Today the Russian Navy has inducted the 130th nuclear submarine - the Alexander Nevsky. This is the first follow-on submarine of Borei-class that has been designed at the St Petersburg shipyard ‘Rubin’,” the minister said.
“Designers, engineers and workers of the shipyard overcame the issue. We value cooperation with the Sevmash shipyard. We hope that it will continue in the future,” he said.