Although planned to be put into operation by the end of 1996, the Oscar-II class submarine (project 949A) "Tomsk" has not yet been commissioned by Sevmash yard. Testing of the nuclear reactor and rocket complex on-board "Tomsk" was performed in October 1996. In the end of October the yard started mantling of the fail-safe navigation systems, and in the end of November the submarine left Severodvinsk for open sea testing. In June this year the officers started on- board training to be prepared for the upcoming final sea trial under government scrutiny. Diminishing opportunities for Russian military yards

In the beginning of May the almost half -year long fight between the two Severodvinsk yards – Sevmash and Zvezdochka – for the repair job on a submarine of project 667 BDRM (Delta-IV class), was solved in favour of Zvezdochka yard. The repair work is due to start in the forth quarter of 1997.

Currently, the salary debts to the workers at Sevmash yard amount to 35.2 million USD, while Zvezdochka debts are 11.6 million USD. The yards are fighting for each job opportunity, since the amount of work from military commissions to the yards has been reduced by 80% since 1991.