History | |
---|---|
Russia | |
Name | BS-64 |
Builder | Northern Engineering Plant (Sevmash), Severodvinsk |
Laid down | 18 December 1982 |
Launched | 2 February 1986 |
Commissioned | 23 December 1986 |
Renamed | Had been K-64 until 2002 |
Status | In active service |
General characteristics (As Delta IV class)[1] | |
Class and type | Delta-class submarine |
Displacement |
|
Length | 174 m (570.9 ft) |
Beam | 11.7 m (38.4 ft) |
Draught | 8.8 m (28.9 ft) |
Propulsion | Two VM4-SG nuclear reactors |
Speed |
|
Endurance | 80 days |
Complement | 135 officers and ratings |
Armament |
|
BS-64 is a Project 667BDRM Delfin-class ballistic missile submarine (NATO reporting name Delta IV) of the Russian Navy. She was originally designated K-64.
K-64 was removed from active service in 1999 and was ordered to be refitted. It was planned for her to be reactivated in 2002 to replace the Yankee 'Stretch'-class KS-411. KS-411 had been the mothership for the Paltus-class mini submarines, which are believed to be used for a combination of oceanographic research, search and rescue, and underwater intelligence-gathering.[2] Due to lack of funds this plan was postponed. K-64 was renamed BS-64 in 2002, and her central section containing 16 silos for ballistic missiles was removed to create space for the installation of scientific-experimental equipment, cabins for scientists and a rest room for the regular crew. There were unofficial reports that in 2008 the ship had been named Vladimir, before the official name Podmoskovye was announced later that year.[3]
After her conversion was completed at Zvezdochka shipyard the submarine was relaunched on 11 August 2015.[4] Following the completion of repairs it is believed that the submarine was converted to serve as carrier of mini submarine(s), such as the deep-diving nuclear powered mini-submarine Losharik.[5][6][7] Sea trials started in the White Sea in October 2016 and the submarine was handed over to the Russian Navy in December the same year as a Pr. 09787 carrier of mini-submarines and possibly as a nuclear deep-water station.[8][9]