Russia marking 100th anniversary of Submarine Force

On March 19, 1906, the Russian Maritime Department decreed that submarines should become an independent class of military ships.

Russia has been marking this day since 1996 as the Day of Submarine Sailor.

"Our submarine fleet ranks world’s second by military characteristics after the US Navy’s submarine force," the press service of the Russian Navy told Itar-Tass.

The Russian Navy will be supplemented by new nuclear and diesel submarines in the near future.

The building of the Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine of the fourth generation is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary.

Other two submarines The Yuri Dolgorukiy and The Alexander Nevsky are also under construction at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, northwestern Russia.

"The strategic missile carrying submarine will be equipped with the brand new Bulava missile," Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov briefed President Vladimir Putin on March 13.

Project 677 Lada class diesel-electric submarine will be tested and set afloat this year, too.

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