PARIS, October 28 (RIA Novosti) — The Russian Navy will receive an improved Project 885M Yasen-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in 2016, Russia's Malakhit design bureau said Tuesday.
"The first improved Project 885M submarine, the Kazan, will be delivered to the Russian Navy in 2016," Malakhit's Deputy General Director Nikolai Novoselov said.
The leading vessel of the Yasen class, the Severodvinsk submarine, was commissioned earlier this year.
The Kazan will feature more advanced equipment and weaponry than the Severodvinsk, which has been under construction since 1993.
Russia plans to have at least eight Yasen class cruise-missile carrying attack boats in its submarine fleet.
The Russian Navy currently has 60 submarines, about 10 of which are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, and more than 30 are multipurpose nuclear submarines, with the rest being diesel and special purpose vessels.
