On October 11, 2024, at Russia’s Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg, was launched the new diesel-electric submarine “Yakutsk.”
The vessel is the sixth in the Project 636.3 series, being built for the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy. This ceremony marked the culmination of an ambitious construction program for the fleet, aimed at enhancing its capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Vice Admiral Igor Mukhmetshin, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, highlighted the importance of this event. “With the launch of ‘Yakutsk,’ we are successfully completing the series of six submarines for the Pacific Fleet,” he said. He noted the proven operational capabilities of the Project 636.3 submarines, which are designed to perform a wide range of missions in various regions of the world’s oceans.
Former Navy Commander-in-Chief and current advisor to the General Director of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), Vladimir Korolev, praised the vessel’s launch, describing it as the submarine’s “second birthday” after its initial laying down. Korolev also emphasized the submarine’s robust design and combat potential, crediting the engineers from the Rubin Design Bureau and the shipbuilders at Admiralty Shipyards for their work on this successful project.
“Yakutsk” was laid down in August 2021 under the supervision of Russian President Vladimir Putin and is the final vessel in this series of submarines. The Project 636.3 submarines, known for their stealth capabilities and combat efficiency, are equipped with advanced systems that make them formidable assets in anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare.
After its launch, “Yakutsk” will undergo outfitting work at the pier, followed by mooring trials, sea trials, and state acceptance tests. Once these are completed, the submarine will be formally handed over to the Pacific Fleet.
The Project 636.3 submarines, also known as “Varshavyanka” class, are equipped with advanced sonar, stealth technology, and the ability to launch Kalibr cruise missiles, providing the Russian Navy with a versatile tool for projecting power in strategic maritime regions.