VLADIVOSTOK, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Pacific Fleet will get the first two Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines in 2019, RIA news agency quoted Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Borisov as saying on Friday.
The Varshavyanka-class (Project 636.3) is an improved version of Kilo-class submarines that features elements of advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.
"The production cycle of a submarine is decreasing, becomes less than three years. That is why we will look forward to the new submarines and we will run up a flag of the Russian Navy in 2019," Borisov said.
Two Varshavyanka-class submarines Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Volkhov were laid down on Friday at the Admiralteiskie Verfi (Admiralty Shipyards) plant in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.
A total of six such submarines have already been constructed for the country's Black Sea Fleet. The Pacific Fleet will also get six such submarines.
