Submarine-related news notes . . .
Russian press services have announced that the state commission on the Bulava has finished analyzing the results of the last two launches. The next test will be in the second half of December, and the exact date will depend on White Sea weather conditions.
It’s pretty, but not absolutely, certain that new Borey-class SSBN Yuriy Dolgorukiy will be the launch platform. The final decision on this will be made in the first ten days of December. One supposes another shot from Dmitriy Donskoy remains a remote possibility.
If the pending launch is a success, the next phase of testing will begin in May 2011.
Regarding fourth generation (proyekt 885, Yasen) SSN Severodvinsk, the boat is still fitting out, and the Navy expects it to join the fleet in 2011. Like Dolgorukiy, Severodvinsk was under construction for many years. ITAR-TASS said this morning 6 of these submarines are now planned.
Russian Defense Policy 