Russian nuclear sub starts sea trials after overhaul

ST. PETERSBURG. November 12. KAZINFORM A Russian Delta-IV class Karelia nuclear submarine has started sea trials following lengthy modernization at the Zvezdochka shipyard in northern Russia, the company said; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

The overhaul, which started in 2004, included the noise reduction, improved enemy ship and submarine tracking capabilities, and enhanced survivability. The submarine has been equipped with 16 Sineva RSM-54 missiles.

K-18 Karelia could join Russia's Northern Fleet by the end of this year, the shipyard said in a statement on Wednesday.

Similar overhaul has been done to four other Delta-IV class submarines - the K-51 Verkhoturye, the K-84 Yekaterinburg, the K-114 Tula, and the K-117 Bryansk; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

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