Russia Raises Naval Ensign on Third Lada-Class Submarine, Plans Two More for Early 2026

Overview

• A flag‑raising ceremony for Velikie Luki was held at Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg after the crew completed factory and state trials.
• Navy chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev said contracts under the current state defense order cover two additional Project 677 boats, with keel‑laying targeted for early 2026.
• Moiseyev noted the Navy has accepted the latest boat and that two other Lada‑class submarines are already at different construction stages.
• Velikie Luki is the third hull of the class, designed by the Rubin bureau and built for the Baltic Fleet after launching on December 23, 2022.
• Lada‑class submarines are described as low‑noise diesel‑electric boats with about 21‑knot submerged speed and over 300‑meter diving depth, carrying rocket‑torpedo systems including Kalibr for anti‑ship, anti‑submarine, land‑attack, minelaying, and special operations missions.