The atomic submarine missile cruiser K-132 "Irkutsk" of Project 949A, code "Antey", has been removed from the Russian Navy and sent for disposal, the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies said, citing sources.
According to preliminary data, the submarine has been undergoing modernization under Project 949AM at the Far Eastern Zvezda shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) in Bolshoy Kamen for a long time, but the submarine was never completed.
The contract for the modernization of the "Irkutsk" and its transfer to modern Onyx and Kalibr missile systems was concluded back in 2013. The repair was planned to be completed in 2019, but in fact the work started even later than this date.
Experts at the CAST Center suggested that the abandonment of the modernization of Project 949A boats may mean the final withdrawal of the remaining ships of this type from the Russian Navy in the coming years as their service life expires.
