Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava and its platform – nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Yury Dolgoruky – will be simultaneously commissioned into Russian Navy this year, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky told RIA Novosti .
SLBM Bulava is expected to become the key component of Russia’s maritime nuclear force; new Bulava -carrying submarines have been already laid down. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said late Dec 2011 after successful test salvo launch that the missile would be commissioned. However, exact date has not been set so far.
“ We explicitly hope the ‘missile plus submarine’ system will be put in service this year” , Vysotsky said.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , February 10, 2012