The St. Petersburg Submarine from Project 677 Is Slated for Decommissioning and Nuclear Submarine timelines are Evolving
Plans are advancing to retire the non nuclear main submarine of project 677, known by the code name Lada and named St. Petersburg. This development has been reported by TASS through two independent sources. The reporting indicates that the decision reflects a strategic choice to reallocate funds from modernization for the construction of a new submarine, rather than pursuing a costly upgrade for the existing boat.
A second source with close ties to naval circles confirmed the move, noting that the decision has already been made. The corroboration from two separate channels within the defense community underscores a clear government and military-industrial stance on optimizing long term capacity and cost efficiency. The shift signals a broader reorganization of submarine forces and modernization priorities within the fleet structure.
Earlier reporting from the end of 2024 into the start of 2025 placed the St. Petersburg within the Pacific Fleet, as part of efforts to expand the submarine force for special missions. The plan at that time involved integrating the boat into a key role with new capabilities, including serving as a carrier for the extraordinary Poseidon torpedo. This approach reflects evolving doctrine focused on deep underwater strike options and strategic deterrence, alongside broader modernization goals for the naval service.
In related remarks, the head of United Shipbuilding Corporation emphasized a broader efficiency drive aimed at shortening construction times for Russia’s nuclear submarines. The public statement set a target to reduce the overall build time by one year. At present, construction timelines have hovered around seven years, and the objective is to bring that period down to six years, thereby accelerating readiness and fleet renewal. This cadence aligns with ongoing investments in shipyard capacity, propulsion technology, and advanced reactor design, as the defense sector seeks to keep pace with modern strategic requirements.