First 2 Varshavyanka-Class Submarines For Pacific Fleet To Be Launched In March 2019, 2020

The first two Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines for the Pacific Fleet will be floated out this and next March, Director General of St. Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyards Alexander Buzakov told Sputnik on Wednesday

PATRIOT PARK (Moscow Region) (UrduPoint news / Sputnik - 20th March, 2019) The first two Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines for the Pacific Fleet will be floated out this and next March, Director General of St. Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyards Alexander Buzakov told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"As for the first one [it will be floated out] on March 28, as for the second [it will be floated out] in approximately one year, within the same time frame," Buzakov said, answering a corresponding question.

According to Buzakov, an entire series of six submarines is expected to be built by 2023.

The Varshavyanka class is an improved version of Kilo-class submarines that features elements of advanced stealth technology, an extended combat range and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets. A total of six Varshavyanka-class submarines have already been built for the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

The submarines, which can carry crews of up to 52 people, have a top underwater speed of 20 knots (23 miles per hour), a cruising range of 400 miles (electric propulsion), with the ability to patrol for 45 days. The vessels are armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air missiles.