President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday launched an ultra-quiet nuclear submarine that took 17 years to build and pledged to invest more money in weapon systems.
The 119-meter submarine, the Severodvinsk, is heralded by the Navy for its stealth as the world's quietest undersea vessel, and its screw propellers remained veiled during the launch ceremony at the northern seaport of Severodvinsk because of secrecy considerations, RIA-Novosti reported.
Russian Orthodox priests blessed the submarine by sprinkling it with water, and naval officers later christened the vessel by smashing a bottle of champagne on its hull, the report said.
Six more Project 885 "Yasen" submarines will be built after the Navy commissions the Severodvinsk following sea tests next year, Rear Admiral Oleg Burtsev, deputy head of the Navy, told reporters.
Work on the Severodvinsk started in 1993 at the Sevmash shipyard.
Despite the long road to completion, Medvedev praised the submarine's designers and Sevmash workers for "brilliantly" executing their tasks while using "the most advanced shipbuilding technologies."
"Most modern countries invest a lot of money in the latest offensive and defense systems. We should do the same," Medvedev said, Interfax reported. "Russia must carry out an efficient modernization of its naval forces."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.