In a significant development, Russia has reportedly increased its production of submarines, which has traditionally been considered the country’s forte.
As per a recent report, Russia is building four submarines simultaneously in Sevmash shipyard in the northern city of Severodvinsk. Two hulls of the Borei class SSBNs and two Yasen class attack submarines (SSNs) constitute the present spree of production.
The report indicates that this is the highest rate of production since Soviet days. The Sevmash yard was a very important build node during the Cold War era. Many frontline submarines were launched from this yard.
The Typhoon class, which is the largest, and Alpha class the fastest of its time, were products of the Sevmash at the peak of the Cold War. In order to evenly distribute the load in yards in the Soviet Union, hulls were carted across extensive river networks on barges for fitting out. Some inland yards made hulls and final fitting out was carried out in yards, along the coast such as Sevmash.
In his brilliant book Cold War Submarine Design, Norman Polmar describes the silent race between then superpowers to reign supreme underwater with cutting-edge technology, where Sevmash was an important cog. Indian Aircraft Carrier Vikramaditya was refitted in this yard.
Is Sevmash back in the days of building glory described in that book?
Are these four hulls in Sevmash indicating the naval resurgence of Russia?
Will the recent crash in oil prices affect these builds?
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