Russia to launch new ballistic missile submarine



Russia to launch new ballistic missile submarine Moscow: Russia's newest ballistic missile submarine, Project 955 Borey class boat Yury Dolgoruky, will be handed over to the fleet in September.

"The formal signing of the handover of the Yury Dolgoruky to the defence ministry will take place in September," a source at the United Shipbuilding Corporation said Friday.

The boat has completed a range of sea trials including a firing of a Bulava ballistic missile in December 2011.

Its sister ship, the Alexander Nevsky, will carry out a further Bulava test launch in November "as part of its state trials".

The Borey class will become the mainstay of the Russian Navy's strategic nuclear deterrent force, replacing older Project 667 (NATO Delta 4) boats. The class will consist of eight boats, all armed with Bulava missiles.

IANS