Russian Fleet Construction

Russian Fleet Construction

Aircraft Carriers:

Plans have been announced for the construction of Fleet Carriers starting 2018 with commissioning 2023. I hold this to be highly unlikely.

Admiral Kuznetsov is heading out on its last cruise before overhaul. It will then undergo complete overhaul and modernization in 2012 at the Severodvinsk Sevmash Shipyard and will likely reenter service sometime between 2017 and 2020.

Amphibious Assault Ships:

Two Mitral Class vessels expected to be constructed in the STX shipyards in ST. Nazaire (France). One is expected to be launched by 2014 and the other in 2015. Two more Misrals are planned with construction taking place in shipyards on Kotlin Island near St. Petersburg that are currently being built (not ready before 2016). These shipyards will be incorporated with the Admiralty Shipyards Company.

Cruisers:

Project 1144 Kirov Class Nuclear Cruisers - Admiral Nakhimov currently undergoing overhaul and repair at Severodvinsk SevmashShipyard with entry into service planned for 2015. Plans also exist to modernize and refit Admiral Lazarev and Admiral Ushakov at the Severodvinsk Shipyard with entry into service 2020.

Fleet Destroyers:

Plans currently exist to build eight to ten Project 21956 Multi-Purpose Destroyers designed by Severnoye Design Bureau. They are likely going to be built in the Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg, and production will likely start n 2016.

Frigates:

Severnaya Verf is currently constructing Project 22350 Frigates but production is slower than optimal. The first frigate (Sergey Gorshkov)has been in construction since February 1st 2006, and its underway testing is not even complete (it is expected to be late this year, potentially early next year). The second Project 22350 (Fleet Admiral Kasatonov) was laid down two years ago, and is expected to be completed in 2014. So far 6 units have been ordered, but a total of 20 vessels are planned. Project 22350 Frigate construction is considered a priority by the Russian Navy, as they are to replace Project 956 Destroyers and Project 1135 Frigates.

The Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad is currently constructing Admiral Grigorovich Class Frigates for the Baltic Fleet. Two are currently being constructed (both expected to be launched in 2013) but 6 are planned in total.

ZelenodolskZavod Shipyard is building Project 1161.1 Frigates for the Caspian Flotilla. Three vessels were ordered for the Russian Navy. One was already commissioned, another has been launched but not yet commissioned, and another that is still under construction.

Corvettes:

Severnaya Verf and Kosomolsk Shipyard (located in Komsomolsk-na-Amure) are tasked with constructing Project 2038 Steregushchiy Class Large Corvettes. Soobrazitelnyy began sea trials this year, Boykiy was launched, Stoykiy is under construction, and Provornyywas already laid down. Sovershennyy remains under construction at Komsomolsk Shipyard. Twenty to thirty Project 2038 are projected to be built.

Almaz Shipyard in St. Petersburg is currently building Project 21630 Corvettes. Astrakhan was laid down in 2004 and commissioned in 2006,Volgodonsk was laid down in 2005 and was launched this year. Four other vessels are currently being built.

SSBNs:

Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk is charged with constructing the Borei Class SSBNs for the Russian Navy. K-535 and K-550 have already been launched, but they have not yet entered active service (K-535 is in trials while K-550). A third vessel is being constructed, while a fourth is being fitted for construction. A total of 8 Borei class vessels are projected to be built, of which the last four or five might be of an improved Borei II model.

SSNs:

Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk is also constructing Yasen Class SSNs. Yasen Class production history has been particularly tortuous, with Borei Class SSBNs receiving priority in construction and funding. 10 Yasen Class SSNs are planned, but there is a considerable degree of uncertainty as to whether the Yasen Class might not be too complex and expensive to be built in the numbers Russia may need. There is debate as to whether it wouldn’t be better to build cheaper and modernized attack boatslike the Victor III or Akula, orProject 957 Kedrwhich never left the design phase. In any case, only one vessel has been constructed so far, with another 1-2 being built.

SSKs:

The Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg is tasked with building Project 677 Lada Class Submarines that may operate an AIP system. B-585 was commissioned on May 8th 2010 with the Baltic Fleet. A total of 8 Lada SSKs were originally planned, and two are reputed to be in various stages of construction. It is possible though that the Lada program has been halted at the one in the water, since by switching to building Kilo Class SSKs for domestic use at Admiralty Shipyard, there’s no longer any yard space to build Ladas. This may be a temporary situation, but it could also mean the halt of the Lada program for the next few years.