Nuclear-powered vessels

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In the former Soviet Union/Russia, 247 nuclear submarines and five nuclear-powered surface ships were built in the period from 1955 to 1996.[66] In addition, a nuclear reactor which can be installed in diesel powered submarines was also built. Nuclear powered naval vessels are in service with the Northern Fleet (2/3) and with the Pacific Fleet (1/3), but have never been assigned to either of the other two Russian Fleets (the Black Sea Fleet and the Baltic Fleet.) Until the end of the 1980s, the Soviet Navy had more nuclear submarines than all other countries put together.[67] As a result both of the START II disarmament treaty and the high age of some of the earlier generations of Soviet submarines, 138 Russian submarines are now no longer operative. This number is expected to increase over the years to come as more of the ageing classes of submarines are decommissioned and dismantled. At the present time, there are 67 nuclear submarines and two nuclear-powered battle cruisers in service with the Northern Fleet, while in the Pacific Fleet, there are 42 operative nuclear submarines, one nuclear powered battle cruiser, and one nuclear powered communications ship.[68]

Footnotes

[66] Pavlov, A.S., Military Vessels in the Soviet Union and Russia 1945-1995, and Jane's Fighting Ships 1995-1996, 98th edition. Return
[67] Nezavisimaya Gazeta, October 25, 1994. Return
[68] Jane's Fighting Ships 1993-1994 lists 49 nuclear submarines in the Pacific Fleet as operative. The actual number is probably around 25 to 30. Source: Handler, J., Greenpeace, Radioactive Waste Situation in the Russian Pacific Fleet, Nuclear Disposal Problems, Submarine Decommissioning, Submarine Safety, and Security of Naval Fuel, p. 35. October 27, 1994. Return

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