A source from the shipbuilding industry told TASS that the nuclear submarine (NPS) “Irkutsk” of project 949A “Antey” of the Pacific Fleet (Pacific Fleet) could return to the combat structure of the Russian Navy in 2023.
Irkutsk will be able to carry 48 brand new Caliber-PL, Onyx and Zircon cruise missiles. Thus, the submarine will be able to hit coastal targets.
“The availability of a specific set of missiles on the nuclear submarine will depend on the tasks assigned to it,” the source said.
Former Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Alexei Krivoruchko knowledgeableHe said zircon tests will be completed in 2021 and serial missile deliveries for ships and submarines will begin in 2022.
Zircons are expected to enter service on Project 22350 frigates, Project 885M Yasen-M submarines, and the Admiral Nakhimov cruiser and Irkutsk submarine, which are in the modernization phase. It is planned to replace the heavy anti-ship missile P-700 Granit, which entered service in the 1980s.
Source: Gazeta
