Russia launches final Project 636.3 submarine for Pacific fleet
The Yakutsk was launched in St Petersburg in October 2024. (Photo: Admiralty Shipyards)
The Yakutsk, built by Admiralty Shipyards, is intended for service in the far east of the Russian Federation.
Russia has launched its sixth – and presumed final – Project 636.3 submarine in its Pacific fleet, the Yakutsk, in St Petersburg.
The submarine will largely be sent to work in the Russian Federation’s sphere of operations in the Far East.
The submarine was taken from the Admiralty Shipyards production hall in St Petersburg to the dock and submerged to gain buoyancy on 11 October 2024. While it still has to undergo factory trials and was described as “90% ready” by the company in October, Admiralty predicted the vessel would be at sea by the end of the year.
Related Articles
Russian Navy to receive trio of new submarines
The six submarines of Project 636.3 were designed as a modern variant of the Project 877 Paltus vessels, and are currently the most numerous among Russia’s conventionally-powered submarines due to a range of defects in the Project 677 Lada design, which led the Russian Navy to reject that vessel.
While the Pacific fleet’s Project 636.3 cohort will be complete with the launch to sea of the Yakutsk, submarines of its fundamental type, the Improved Kilo II in NATO reporting code, will continue to add to the Russian Navy’s arsenal. Plans are already well advanced for the keel-laying of the Petrozavodsk, which will likely report to the Baltic fleet, and three additional submarines destined for the Northern fleet.
Admiralty Shipyards is a longstanding supplier of submarines for the various Russian fleets. It has been solely responsible for the building of all the Project 636.3 vessels for the Pacific fleet since 2016, and previously built the first six such submarines for the Black Sea fleet between 2010 and 2016.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Improved Kilo/Varshavyanka Class (Project 636.3) 6-12
Improved Kilo/Varshavyanka Class (Project 636.3) 13
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs]()
Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs
The company has invested $80 million to enhance its facilities and establish a new maritime division.
-
![Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027]()
Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027
The US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyer is a stealth ship originally designed to consist of a fleet of 32 but has been cut back to three. Conceived for a land-attack role, it is now being fitted with a hypersonic missile capability.
-
![US Coast Guard commissions first icebreaker acquired in the last 25 years]()
US Coast Guard commissions first icebreaker acquired in the last 25 years
The Cutter Storis officially entered service with the Branch on 10 August. The new capability will be operated from Juneau, Alaska.
-
![US Coast Guard to invest more than $5 billion in the Heritage Class Offshore Patrol Cutter]()
US Coast Guard to invest more than $5 billion in the Heritage Class Offshore Patrol Cutter
From FY2026 to FY2029, the OPC programme will receive funds from the Reconciliation Bill and the Coast Guard annual budget.
