Russia orders new submarines for Pacific fleet

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Russia's Ministry of Defense has signed a contract for the building of six attack submarines for the Navy's Pacific fleet.

The contract was signed with JSC Admiralteiskie Verfi, or Admiralty Shipyard, which is to deliver the vessels as part of a project designated 636.3 before 2021.

"Signing of the contract for six submarines of project 636 is a high-profile event, the basis of loading of the plant for next five years," said company General Director Alexander Buzakov. "We have a great experience of construction of the submarines of this project not only for Russian Navy but also for our foreign customers.

"We shall complete our current contract for the Black Sea Fleet by the end of the year and we have no doubts that the new contract also shall meet the target date."

JSC Admiralteiskie Verfi said the diesel-electric submarines for project 636 feature enhanced combat effectiveness through the combination of stealth capabilities, target detection range, new inertial navigation systems, automated information management system and high-speed torpedoes.