13.12 Akula-Class Nuclear Subs’ Overhaul Could Take Decade – Shipyard

MOSCOW, December 13 (RIA Novosti) – The overhaul of Russia’s fleet of third-generation Project 971 (Akula class) nuclear-powered attack submarines could take at least a decade, the Zvyozdochka shipyard said Friday.

“The planned modernization schedule [for each boat] is at least three years,” Zvyozdochka general director Vladimir Nikitin said in an exclusive interview with RIA Novosti.

The first Akula-class boat, the Leopard, is already being upgraded at the shipyard, but the work on that vessel will take much longer compared with subsequent submarines because the development of the documentation and technological processes for the necessary repairs have not been yet completed, Nikitin said.

The overhaul will involve replacement of the electrical wiring, electronics, missile systems and other equipment. The upgraded vessels will also feature better “stealth” capabilities.