Northern Fleet to test Knyaz Vladimir nuclear sub armed with Bulava ICBM in 2018 - commander
BALASHIKHA, Moscow region. Dec 22 (Interfax) - Russia's Northern Fleet will conduct trials of its lead strategic nuclear submarine, the Knyaz Vladimir, next year, Northern Fleet Commander Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov told journalists.
"As for plans for the future, the Northern Fleet will continue missions to the Arctic, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean in 2018. We will have to continue to master new types of weapons and hardware, and Navy personnel will continue to be involved in trial programs for state-of-the-art ships. Next year, we will make provisions for trials of the strategic Project Borei-A missile-carrying submarine, the Knyaz Vladimir," Yevmenov said following the end-of-year meeting of the collegium of the Defense Ministry hosted by President Vladimir Putin.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier at the same meeting that the Knyaz Vladimir will join the Russian Navy in 2018.