Just a few days ago - September 13 - many military technicians around the world were literally shocked. In Russia, the construction of the first submarine cruiser K-329 "Severodvinsk" was completed. This nuclear submarine was built according to the Ash project.
Now "Ash" has to go to the open sea for the first time. The boat will be checked in the White Sea. And the maiden voyage is watched with unusual attention by both many Russian military specialists and specialists from all over the world. This is not surprising, because it is this voyage that will show the further vector of development of the Russian navy. If during the voyage it is found out that the Yasen fully complies with all the modern requirements for such submarines, then its exact copies will constitute the main force of the Russian submarine fleet in the coming years. It is planned to create the most powerful fleet of eight submarines by 2020!
The history of the construction of the Yasen nuclear submarine itself is very interesting. Perhaps the specialists who follow the military equipment in Russia and the world remember that the construction of this boat began in 1993. Yes, it was then that the orders for the start of construction were signed and the boat was laid down on the stocks of Sevmash. Then no one could have thought that the creation of this masterpiece would be delayed for almost two decades.
The recent collapse of a mighty power, default, destruction of the economy and industry - all this affected the construction process. Many experts argue that the fact that the work was still carried out is surprising in itself.
It is already known that about a year ago, the construction of the second nuclear submarine from the Ash series was started. But only the results of the current voyage, in which the newly built giant is taking part, will show whether its younger "brothers" will become the main nuclear force of the modern Russian navy. In total, the check will take about two months. During this time, an experienced team will have to examine the ship they have inherited to the smallest detail, so that upon arrival they will hand over a report that will decide the further fate of all boats of this series.
The armament of the first ship from the Yasen series, named Severodvinsk (after the name of the city in which it was built), is really impressive. There really is everything here to win any battle, even with the most dangerous opponent. Among the weapons of the Severodvinsk nuclear submarine, you can see the P-800 anti-ship complex, equipped with 3M-55 missiles. There are also cruise missiles that can hit almost any ground target. The Kh-35 anti-ship missiles and the Kh-101 strategic missiles are also available. Thus, it is no coincidence that the nuclear submarine Severodvinsk has earned the title of the most armed submarine in the world. The most powerful missiles can successfully hit targets at a distance of up to five thousand kilometers! In total, there are twenty-four cruise missiles on board, as well as eight torpedo launchers. Moreover, cruise missiles can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. Therefore, if Severodvinsk really justifies all the hopes placed on it and over the next few years eight more submarines of this model will appear in the domestic fleet, they will be able to become the most powerful core of the entire fleet, capable of withstanding any fleet of potential adversaries.
Despite such powerful armament, the "Ash" compares favorably with any analogues by its amazing speed. The full speed when traveling under water is 31 knots, or almost 60 kilometers per hour, which is one of the best indicators to date.
The total length of the submarine is 120 meters. Its displacement is 9500 tons. The maximum immersion depth is up to six hundred meters. With such a powerful weaponry and speed, the crew is rather small - only eighty-five people.
It is also encouraging that all the weapons that will be installed on the nuclear submarine have already been tested, and quite successfully. It looks especially nice against the background of the Bulava, which they wanted to equip the new strategic submarines of the Yuri Dolgoruky type.
But, even if the check is really successful, there remains a reason to think seriously about the future of the Yasen submarines, the reason is their cost. The first boat cost the state 50 billion rubles. However, the construction of the second one will have to spend about 110 billion. Experts say that this is a consequence of the rise in prices for electricity, metals and the services of professional welders. Thus, if 8 more Yasen-class nuclear submarines are built, no less than a trillion rubles will be spent. And this is five percent of the total amount that is planned to be spent on the development of military equipment in Russia until 2020.
