Russian Navy has confirmed delivery of thirty new vessels during 2024

• numerous valuable ships from the Black Sea Fleet have been redeployed
• The submarine can achieve submerged speeds of twenty-one knots
• he highlighted the delivery of the Yasen-M class nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, has announced the integration of thirty new vessels into the navy's main fleets throughout 2024. Although the high command did not provide a detailed inventory of the units received during the past year, it emphasized the delivery of both conventionally and nuclear-powered attack submarines, as well as missile corvettes. Additionally, progress has been made in the construction of a new polar patrol ship under Project 23550.

In recent statements to Russian media, Admiral Moiseyev summarized the process of incorporating new units into the Russian Navy. He remarked, “In 2024, the Navy was strengthened with approximately 30 ships of various classes and support vessels, including the diesel-electric submarine Kronstadt and the small missile ship Amur.” 

Moreover, he highlighted the delivery of the Yasen-M class nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk, which was assigned to the Northern Fleet in December. This vessel represents the fourth unit of the Project 885M class, or the fifth if one includes the Severodvinsk, the first unit of the original Project 885 class.

Admiral Moiseyev noted that the primary focus of these enhancements has been the acquisition of new classes of attack and ballistic missile submarines, along with Karakurt-class missile corvettes such as the Amur. Named after the capital of Pomorye in northern Russia, the Arkhangelsk is Moscow's 141st nuclear-powered submarine constructed by Sevmash and the fifth vessel in the Yasen class.

The Project 885M submarines constitute upgraded variants of the Yasen class, designed by the Malakhit Design Bureau of Marine Engineering and constructed by Sevmash, Russia's foremost shipbuilder and submarine manufacturer. According to Admiral Moiseyev, four additional Yasen-M class submarines currently under construction at Sevmash are expected to join the navy: the “Perm,” the “Ulyanovsk,” the “Voronezh,” and the “Vladivostok.”

For instance, the addition of the B-586 Kronstadt, the second unit of the Project 677M Lada-class diesel-electric attack submarines, was celebrated early in the previous year. Later, in October, the B-587 Velikiye Luki, the third unit of the class, underwent sea trials in the Gulf of Finland, signalling its anticipated commissioning in 2025. The Lada class is specifically designed for anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence-gathering missions.

Designated as Project 677 Lada by the Russian Navy, the Lada-class attack submarine employs a mono-hull design, a departure from the design of Moscow's attack submarines since World War II. Utilizing diesel technology, these submarines are smaller than the Kilo class, being approximately 25% less in displacement while offering enhanced capabilities.

Measuring approximately 220 feet, the Lada-class submarine features six 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes and can lay mines. It is also capable of carrying SS-N-27 Sizzler and SS-N-26 Oniks short-range anti-ship cruise missiles, which can reach targets up to 190 miles away and are equipped with high-explosive warheads that can inflict substantial damage.

The submarine can achieve submerged speeds of twenty-one knots and can operate underwater for 45 days with a complement of thirty-four officers and enlisted personnel. The Russian Navy currently has one active Lada-class submarine, the Kronstadt, and another, the Velikiye Luki, under construction. The Kronstadt was commissioned in January 2024, while the prototype vessel of the class, the Sankt Petersburg, was commissioned in 2010 and was utilized for extensive sea trials.

In terms of surface capabilities, considerable progress has been made in the construction and commissioning of new Karakurt-class missile corvettes (Project 22800), including the Amur (803). Two additional units were launched in late September by the United Shipbuilding Corporation. While specific details were not disclosed, it was indicated that these corvettes would be assigned to the Pacific Fleet, potentially identified as the vessels Rzhev and Udomlya.

The Amur (tactical number 646) is the first Karakurt-class corvette to join the Caspian Flotilla. The latest version of the Project 12418 corvette Tarantul IV was recently launched and is now part of the fleet. The keel of the Amur was laid on July 30, 2017, and the vessel was launched on December 26, 2022.

As with other Karakurt ships constructed at the “Zelenodol’skiy” Shipyard in Zelenodolsk, Tatarstan, the Amur was originally slated to join the Black Sea Fleet. However, these plans were altered due to concerns regarding the activities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. So far, Ukrainian surface drones, SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and ATACMS ballistic missiles have either destroyed or severely damaged several Russian vessels in the region. Among these vessels is the Askold, which suffered considerable damage from a missile attack in Kerch and did not enter service. Another Karakurt-class corvette, the Tsyklon, was also damaged in May.

Consequently, numerous valuable ships from the Black Sea Fleet have been redeployed by the Russian military from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. Despite this, naval assets equipped with 3M14 cruise missiles of the Kalibr-NK system, possessing a range of approximately 2 000 kilometres, remain capable of conducting offensive operations.