Russia is preparing the last type of ballistic missile submarine since the Soviet era

The Russian Navy has announced that the nuclear ballistic missile submarine Ekaterinburg will be decommissioned in 2022 after more than 36 years of service.

Ekaterinburg submarine of the Russian Navy. Photo: TASS Business Insider (USA) reported that the Delta-IV class submarine Ekaterinburg has spent nearly 2 years waiting at the port in Severodvinsk. Ekaterinburg’s decommissioning also marks the “final chapter” of the Delta class that has been the mainstay of the Soviet and Russian fleets of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines for decades. It is expected that Delta-class submarines will be replaced by advanced Borei-class ships. Delta IV class submarines are part of a group of 43 ballistic missile nuclear submarines with the first being launched in the early 70s of the last century. There are seven Delta IV submarines in service with the Russian Navy. Among them is the Podmoskovye which in 2016 was converted into a Special Mission submarine dedicated to intelligence missions. It is known that Ekaterinburg is the second ship of the Delta-IV class to be produced, built in 1985. On August 6, 1989, during Operation Behemoth, the Ekaterinburg submarine tested 16 R-29RM Shtil ballistic missiles. while in diving mode. The first launch was successful, but a fuel leak in the rocket during the second launch halted the test. The Ekaterinburg was fortunately unharmed. Not stopping there, in 2011, a serious fire occurred on the Ekaterinburg ship. The ship then had to undergo a three-year repair process.