During the course of the morning today, the Russian Navy announced that it has finally commissioned into service the third of its new Lada-class attack submarines (also known as Project 677). The vessel will bear the name Velikiye Luki, in honor of the city of the same name, and will join the Baltic Fleet. The corresponding formal ceremony was held at the Admiralty Shipyards, which belong to the state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) and are located in the city of Saint Petersburg.
Going into further detail, local reports indicate that the crew spent the previous day putting the submarine through a testing program designed to ensure that the vessel meets all performance requirements set by the manufacturer. Prior to this, Velikiye Luki had been tested in the Baltic Sea—more specifically in the Gulf of Finland—as part of the process leading up to its entry into active service, which was finalized nearly three years after USC carried out its launch.
Briefly reviewing the characteristics of the platform, it should be highlighted that these submarines have a displacement of 2,700 tons, contained within dimensions of 66.8 meters in length and 7.1 meters in beam, allowing accommodation for a crew of 35 personnel. In terms of endurance, each Lada-class unit is capable of remaining at sea for up to 45 days before requiring resupply, while in terms of speed they can reach up to 21 knots submerged.
On the other hand, Russian analysts emphasize that this model is equipped with advanced acoustic protection systems that would make detection by an adversary difficult in a combat scenario, while it also features a next-generation sonar system to enhance its own detection capabilities. Regarding armament, Velikiye Luki is fitted with six 533 mm torpedo tubes, from which it can launch torpedoes, naval mines, or Alfa and Oniks missiles, providing it with a wide range of operational options.
In this regard, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, stated: “The Lada-class submarine combines cutting-edge technologies and complex technical solutions. Despite its relatively small displacement, the vessel is an important asset for naval warfare and possesses extensive combat capabilities, both offensive and defensive, thanks to all the solutions incorporated into its design.”
Finally, it should be taken into account that the commissioning of this third Lada-class submarine comes just months after reports indicated that the Russian Navy was seeking to expand the originally planned number of units with the purchase of three additional submarines. This possibility was raised by President Vladimir Putin himself during a meeting held in the city of Arkhangelsk with senior naval authorities, where he stated the intention to field a total of nine operational units: “The construction of Project 677 conventional submarines is underway. The lead submarine, Kronstadt, entered service with the Navy in 2024. At least nine submarines of this class will be built.”
You may also like: Once again, the Royal Navy monitored the transit of the Russian submarine Krasnodar in the North Sea and the English Channel
