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Zvezdochka shipyard started cutting multipurpose nuclear submarine under Russia-Norway contracts

Publish date: August 20, 2003

Severodvinsk-based Zvezdochka defence shipyard has started disposing K-438 multipurpose nuclear submarine.

The work is done under the Russia-Norway contracts signed June 30. Presently they are cutting off the deck-house and dismantling the equipment, ITAR-TASS reported. Ultimately, the nuclear submarine K-438 of Victor-I class, factory no.608, will be cut into pieces in the launching dock. Zvezdochka has started disposing the submarine without waiting for the Norwegian cash to reach the shipyard’s bank account. According to the two contracts totalling 10 million euros, Norway is to fund the disposition of two Russian multipurpose nuclear submarines: at Zvezdochka and Nerpa ship repair yard in Murmansk Region. Meanwhile, three more Victor-I class nuclear submarines, project 671, have arrived at Zvezdochka shipyard for cutting. So far, the retired submarines are kept afloat waiting until the financing issue to cut them is settled. The nuclear submarines had been enlisted by the shipyard in the hope that the due finding will be shortly available for disposition of the Russian multipurpose nuclear submarines under joint international programs.