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Reports on Severodvinsk sub tests failure untrue

The Severodvinsk submarine successfully undergoes the trials in the White Sea in full accordance with the approved program

MOSCOW, August 15 (Itar-Tass) — Some media reports alleging that tests of the nuclear-powered submarine of Project 885 (Yasen class) Severodvinsk have failed are not true, a spokesperson for the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) told Itar-Tass.

“Allegations that appeared in some media about serious deficiencies found during the testing of the fourth-generation Severodvinsk nuclear submarine are groundless,” he said. “The Severodvinsk submarine successfully undergoes the trials in the White Sea in full accordance with the approved program,” the official indicated.

Head of the State Defence Order Department of the USC Vice-Admiral Anatoly Shlemov told Itar-Tass that “this test program is carried out strictly according to plan. In 2011, three successful sea trials of Severodvinsk were conducted, this year another two successful trials have been made. The submarine is currently being prepared for another sea test.”

The construction of the submarine started in 1993 and was first planned to be launched in 1998. However budgetary problems delayed the construction for years, and she was only launched on 15 June 2010. She underwent mooring trials and was prepared for the shipyard's sea trials to be started in May 2011. The Russian Navy by the end of 2011. The Russian Navy plans to have two Yasen-class submarines in service by 2015. Severodvinsk’s torpedo-launching systems have been fitted behind the compartment of the central station. Severodvinsk began sea trials on 12 September 2011. The submarine returned from her first voyage by 6 October 2011.

Shlemov also disproved recent media reports about alleged problems with the nuclear submarine’s power plant. “The tests have shown that the nuclear power plant of the vessel fully complies with the specified performance characteristics, which has been confirmed during the trials,” the head of the USC department said.