New Russian Submarines to Embody 'Best Features' of Predecessors

ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) – The Russian submarines to be built over the next 20-30 years will embody the "best features" of their predecessors, the Russian Navy said Thursday.

"Each of the prospective submarine projects to be built will embody all the best features of its predecessors," Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Armament Viktor Bursuk said at an annual high command meeting.

The new submarines will feature more robotics, stealth capabilities, reduced noise levels and increased service life, Bursuk added. He noted that further progress in the development of high-precision systems and "air-independent" propulsions was expected in the next two to three decades.

"Together with industry officials, we will discuss a number of priorities for the prospective construction of submarines under the state shipbuilding program," Bursuk said at an accompanying conference on prospective Russian Navy ship layouts.

The Navy’s main priority, according to Bursuk, is to reduce the variety of its nuclear-powered strategic and multi-purpose projects.