Submarine
Lada-class submarine (Project 677)
The Lada-class (Project 677) is a Russian diesel-electric attack submarine designed by Rubin and built at Admiralty Shipyards in Saint Petersburg. The first boat entered service in 2010, but only three have been built so far.
Russia|Rubin Design Bureau / Admiralty ShipyardsOverview
The Project 677 Lada was meant to replace the Kilo-class, and its first boat B-585 Saint Petersburg was laid down in 1997, launched in 2004 and commissioned in 2010 after a troubled trial period. Displacement is about 1,765 t surfaced and 2,700 t submerged, length 67 m and speed 21 knots, with a crew of 35. Six 533 mm tubes fire torpedoes and Kalibr-PL cruise missiles. The Kalina AIP system, based on fuel cells, was proposed but has not been delivered.
Early flaws in sonar and propulsion led the Navy to build improved Project 636.3 Kilo boats in parallel. Only three Ladas exist: Saint Petersburg, Kronstadt and Velikiye Luki, and the latter two follow an improved design. All serve in the Baltic Fleet. The export versions Amur 950 and 1650 have been offered but not sold. Rivals include the German Type 212CD, the Swedish A26, the French Scorpène and the Japanese Taigei.
Key Specifications
Variants
The Project 677 Lada is the diesel-electric submarine with six 533 mm tubes and no AIP.
The Amur 950 is the export version offered to foreign customers, none of which has bought it.
The Kalina AIP refers to a proposed fuel-cell propulsion upgrade that has not been delivered.
Operators
RussiaFrequently Asked Questions
How many Lada-class submarines does Russia have?
Russia has three Lada-class submarines: Saint Petersburg (2010), Kronstadt and Velikiye Luki. The latter two follow an improved Project 677 design. All serve in the Baltic Fleet.
Is the Lada-class a failure?
The Lada-class had early problems with sonar and propulsion, which led the Russian Navy to build improved Project 636.3 Kilo boats in parallel. Only three have been built, and no exports have been sold.
Lada vs Kilo: which is better?
The Lada is a newer design, displacing 2,700 t submerged, while the Kilo is older and has been built in larger numbers, including the improved 636.3. The Lada’s early technical problems limited its production.
Does the Lada-class have AIP?
The Lada-class currently has no air-independent propulsion, only diesel-electric propulsion. The Kalina fuel-cell AIP system has been proposed but not delivered, according to open sources.
What weapons does the Lada-class carry?
The Lada-class has six 533 mm tubes firing torpedoes and Kalibr-PL (3M14) cruise missiles. The export Amur 1650 may be fitted with a vertical launch system.
Which countries use the Lada-class?
Only Russia operates the Lada-class, with the Baltic Fleet. The export versions Amur 950 and 1650 have been offered but not sold. Algeria and Egypt operate Kilo-class boats, not Ladas.