Submarines Article Index : Current 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
 Latest
 News 		  Most
 Read 		  Most
 Commented		  Hot
 Topics

December 29, 2002

Russia is undertaking long delayed repairs and maintenance of its nuclear submarine fleet. The SSBNs (ballistic missile boats) have been particularly hard hit by the lack of money, as they are larger and more complex subs, especially when you include their missiles. The SSBNs need a lot more money to keep them going. Case in point is the Delta IV class SSBN Yekaterinburg (K-84). Entering service in 1986, the Yekaterinburg was put in dry dock for maintenance in 1996. But money for salaries and materials was short, and work dragged on until 1998, when it stopped (as did any funding at all.) But in the last year, money was allocated and the work completed. The Yekaterinburg just completed sea trials and is back in service for another ten or fifteen years.