Russia to commission three strategic subs in 2013

Russia's strategic forces were speeding up rearmament process with three more nuclear submarines to be commissioned this year, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

"There is certainty that these submarines will be put into service this year," Andrei Vernigora, director of the ministry's department of state defense orders, told reporters.

According to the official, two of these subs, Alexander Nevski and Vladimir Monomakh, are of Borei-955 type and another one, Severodvinsk, is of Yasen-855 type.

He said that Alexander Nevsky had passed all tests, while Vladimir Monomach was to start tests in May, and Severodvinsk's tests could be completed by the end of 2013.

Meanwhile, Vernigora noted there were no plans to increase the number of Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) each submarine carries.

The Borei class submarines will carry 16 ICBMs, although the project capacity allows them to load up to 20 missiles after minor alterations of their hulls.

"Thus, modernized Borei will not undergo radical technical changes. This allows no delay of their construction and will save substantial money," Vernigora said.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last month that the Navy would receive eight strategic submarines and 16 multi-purpose submarines by 2020.

Russia plans to build eight Borei-class submarines as the core of its nuclear deterrence strategy. They will replace the Project 941 (Typhoon by NATO classification) and Project 667 submarines.

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