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Russia starts to build new strategic subs this year: report
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-09 09:43

MOSCOW -- The Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia will start to build a fourth Borey class nuclear-powered strategic submarine this year, new agencies reported on Wednesday.

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"Russia's Defense Ministry has ordered the shipyard to start construction of the fourth Borey class submarine this year," the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing a Sevmash official.

The work could begin either in July or in December, said the official.

Vice Admiral Oleg Burtsev, deputy head of the Navy General Staff, said on March 23 that Russia will maintain and upgrade its fleet of strategic submarines, which carry ballistic missiles.

He said that Russia's new Severodvinsk nuclear-powered attack submarine will be commissioned with the Navy in 2010-2011, and at least six Borey-class strategic submarines will be built to serve in the Northern and the Pacific fleets.

Two other Borey-class nuclear submarines are expected to be completed at the Sevmash shipyard in 2009 and 2011.

All Borey class submarines will be equipped with new Bulava-M (SS-NX-30) intercontinental ballistic missiles, which can carry up to 10 nuclear warheads and have a range of 8,000 kilometers.