The nuclear submarine cruiser "Karelia" of Project 667BDRM has completed repairs and is already preparing for its first voyage after them. This was reported by the press service of the Northern Fleet on March 19, on the 120th anniversary of the submarine forces of Russia.
The crew, under the command of Captain 1st Rank Anton Glodev, is currently stationed in the Gadzhiyevo garrison in the Murmansk region. Submariners are practicing daily the operation of complex equipment, actions in case of alarm, and, most importantly, the use of the main weapon — the Sineva intercontinental ballistic missiles. Training is in full swing: sailors are perfecting all operations to automatism, so that in a real voyage they can act without the slightest delay.
The commander emphasized that the technical condition of the cruiser fully meets current requirements. According to him, the capabilities of the ship and the accuracy and range of the "Sineva" allow it to confidently solve tasks even in modern military operations.
According to the combat training plan, the first combat service of the "Karelia" after repair will take place in 2026. The cruiser will remain in service until 2038 and will retain a full complement of 16 Sineva missiles. Together with other Project 667BDRM boats and the latest "Borei-A", it forms the basis of the country's naval strategic nuclear forces.
K-18 "Karelia" — a nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine of Project 667BDRM "Dolphin" (Delta-IV in NATO terminology). It belongs to the second generation of nuclear submarines.
Tactical and technical characteristics of K-18 "Karelia":
- Speed: surface — 14 knots, submerged — 24 knots
- Working diving depth: 320–400 m
- Maximum diving depth: 550–650 m
- Autonomous navigation: 80–90 days
- Crew: 135–140 people
- Displacement: surface — 11,740 tons, submerged — 18,200 tons
- Greatest length (along CWL): 167.4 m
- Greatest hull width: 11.7 m
- Average draft (along CWL): 8.8 m
- Power plant: two VM-4 water reactors with a capacity of 180 MW under pressure, driving two shafts with seven-bladed fixed-pitch propellers.
