Russian submarine Knyaz Oleg

Knyaz Oleg (Russian: АПЛ Князь Олег) is a Borei-class (Project 955A) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine developed by the Rubin Design Bureau and constructed by the Sevmash for the Russian Navy. The submarine is named after Oleg of Novgorod.[3]

Knyaz Oleg arrives at the Northern Fleet in February 2022
History
Russia
NameKnyaz Oleg
NamesakeOleg of Novgorod
BuilderSevmash
Laid down27 July 2014
Launched16 July 2020
Commissioned21 December 2021[1]
HomeportVilyuchinsk[2]
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
TypeBorei-class submarine
Displacement
  • 14,720 t (14,488 long tons) surfaced
  • 24,000 t (23,621 long tons) submerged
Length170 m (557 ft 9 in)
Beam13.5 m (44 ft 3 in)
Draught10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Propulsion
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Complement130 officers and sailors
Armament

Construction and career

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The submarine was laid down on 27 July 2014.[4] In February 2018, it was reported that the construction of the submarine had been delayed because the builder, Sevmash, had not received a diesel generator for the submarine. According to Sevmash the problem was with its supplier Kolomensky Zavod, which had not been able to deliver the part.[5]

It was launched from its shipyard on 16 July 2020.[3] She was reported on sea trials as of April 2021.[6] While it was initially anticipated that the submarine would serve in the Pacific Fleet after commissioning, in May 2021 it was reported that consideration was being given to potentially transferring some of the Borei-class boats originally intended for the Pacific Fleet to the Northern Fleet instead. As of 2021, it was therefore unclear whether Knyaz Oleg would ultimately deploy with the Pacific or the Northern Fleet.[7]

On 21 October 2021, Knyaz Oleg launched one missile from submerged position in the White Sea. Warheads successfully hit targets at the Kura Missile Test Range in Kamchatka.[8]

On 21 December 2021, Knyaz Oleg was commissioned along with Novosibirsk into the Pacific Fleet. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the ceremony via video call.[1] The submarine was reported to have arrived at its permanent base in the Pacific in September 2022.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Putin joins video linkup ceremony of delivering latest nuclear subs to Russian Navy". TASS. 21 December 2021.
  2. ^ "В Вилючинск прибыли новые "Борей-А" и "Ясень-М" (in Russian). 28 September 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Первый серийный ракетоносец проекта "Борей-А" "Князь Олег" спустили на воду" (in Russian). TASS. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Russia's Sevmash shipyard lays down 5th Borey class SSBN and 4th Yasen class SSN". navyrecognition.com. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  5. ^ "SSBN Knyaz Oleg Stays Without Diesel Generator for Almost a Year". mil.today. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  6. ^ @OSINT_1 (26 April 2021). "#OSINT #BMØ #Navy #submarine #Russia #WhiteSea 25-04-2021" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 June 2021 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Nilsen, Thomas (15 May 2021). "Northern Fleet gets priority in receiving new ballistic missile subs". Barents Observer. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Knyaz Oleg submarine test-fires Bulava ICBM from White Sea to Kamchatka's Kura range". 21 October 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Two new Russian nuclear powered submarines arrive at home". 29 September 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.