20 March 2017
Photographs appearing on social media this week show the first of Algeria’s two KILO-class submarines having been completed in the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg.
Algeria ordered the two Project 636 VARSHAVYANKA (KILO) boats in 2014, with delivery slated for 2018. They will join the existing fleet of four now in service: two Project 636 IMPROVED KILOs delivered in 2010 and two Project 877EKMs delivered 1987-88.
Intended primarily for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters, the 72.6m, 3,076t Project 636 VARSHAVYANKA (KILO) can dive to 300m, has a reported submerged speed of 25kts and carries a crew of 52, with mission endurance up to 45 days. Six 533mm torpedo tubes provide launch capabilities for up to 18 torpedoes or 24 AM-1 mines. The boats have a reported capability to fire the KALIBR cruise missile.
Algeria is expected to take delivery of two Project 20382 TIGR-class corvettes from Russian this year, an export model of the Russian Navy’s latest corvette, the Project 20380 STERGUSHCH-class, armed with SS-N-26 YAKHONT/ONYX cruise missiles. The Algerian Navy’s second and final MEKO A200N frigate is also expected to enter service shortly, after completion of sea trials currently under way. The first arrived in Algeria in April last year.
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