Russian President Vladimir Putin commissioned his latest nuclear submarine dubbed the “Emperor Alexander III” on Thursday as part of Moscow’s move to create a fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.
The submarine was launched in the White Sea city of Severodvinsk after being developed by the Russian shipbuilding company Sevmash, a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation that oversees the construction and maintenance of the Russian navy.
Putin defended that the fleet has no comparison with any other naval fleet in the world.
While the “Emperor Alexander III”, capable of carrying 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, will undergo tests next June according to the state media RIA, three other vessels were donned with the Russian flag on Thursday and will begin military service.
SECOND SUDDEN DEATH OF A SENIOR OFFICIAL IN RUSSIA’S MILITARY SUPPLY CHAIN IN LESS THAN A WEEK
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – JULY 26: The Dmitriy Donskoy (TK-208) nuclear ballistic missile submarine arrives in Saint Petersburg to take part in a parade of ships marking Russian Navy Day in Russia on July 26, 2017.
(Photo by Sergey Mihailicenko/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
“The new submarines and surface ships have modern navigation, communication and hydroacoustics systems, high-precision weapons and robotic systems,” he said.
Another nuclear submarine cruiser titled “Generalissimo Suvorov”, a small missile boat called “Grad” and the marine minesweeper “Anatoly Shlemov” were officially handed over to the Navy in a ceremony.
“I would like to congratulate all Russian sailors and shipbuilders on this important milestone for the fleet,” Putin said, adding that the additional ships “significantly increase the capabilities of our nuclear naval forces.”
The TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy nuclear submarine of the Russian Navy prepares for the Navy Day parade in Kronshtadt, in the St Petersburg suburb.
(Photo by Igor Russak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
KYIV, LVIV WITHOUT POWER AFTER RUSSIA LAUNCHES ‘MASSIVE’ AIR AND SEA CRUISE MISSILE ATTACK ACROSS UKRAINE
The “Generalissimo Suvorov” will also be armed with Bulava ICBMs.
The latest two nuclear-powered, and potentially nuclear-armed, submarines mean Russia’s navy will soon have seven of the best ships with more planned for future development.
“Four more submarines will be built as part of the current state armaments program, which will ensure Russia’s security for decades to come,” Putin said during Thursday’s ceremony.
The “Grad” is a small space rocket that, according to Putin, has “high efficiency in solving combat missions in Syria”, while the “Anatoly Shlemov” is a mine-sweeping ship “considered one of the most successful Russian developments in surface shipbuilding”, according to the head of the Kremlin.
It is planned to develop ten more minesweeping ships.
Pledged to continue developing Russia’s naval capabilities as the war in Ukraine continues, Putin said: “We will increase the pace and volume of shipbuilding.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to the national anthem as he oversees the commissioning of new ships for the Russian navy via video conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, December 29, 2022. .
(Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He said that “taking into account the experience gained, including during a special military operation,” Moscow will equip its navy “with the most modern weapons, [and] conduct operational and combat training of sailors”.
“We will do everything necessary to reliably ensure safety [for] Russia, the protection of our national interests in the oceans,” he added.
