Russia to Lay Down 3rd Yasen Class Nuclear Sub on July 26

Russia on July 26 will begin constructing the third of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines to make up the core of its underwater attack fleet, the vessel's designer said Thursday.

The Novosibirsk, the third Yasen-class sub, designated as Graney-class by NATO, will be laid down at the Sevmash shipyard near the White Sea, said Vladimir Dorofeyev, head of the St. 

Petersburg-based Malakhit design bureau.

The Project 885 vessel is designed to launch conventional or nuclear warhead-bearing missiles up to 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers), as well as effectively engage other submarines, surface warships and land-based targets.

The first Yasen-class sub, the Severodvinsk, is undergoing a second round of sea trials in the White Sea and is expected to enter service with the Navy by the end of this year.

The submarine's armament includes 24 cruise missiles and eight torpedo launchers, as well as mines and anti-ship missiles.

“Everything is going according to schedule, coordinated with the Navy,” Dorofeyev said.

The second vessel, the Kazan, was laid down in 2009 and is under construction at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.