Russian Navy Project 971 M Akula-III SSN Submarine Gepard Back in Northern Fleet After Refit

"The work done on the nuclear-powered submarine has extended its service life and enabled it to continue its operations in the Arctic," he said. "In the near future, the Gepard will start combat training at sea," the chief of the fleet’s press office added.

The submarine was built by the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk. The naval flag was hoisted on board the ship on December 4, 2001. The Gepard has repeatedly taken first place in the Northern Fleet’s combat training and has performed several cruises.

As was reported in the press, the Russian Navy will heavily upgrade about 10 Project 971 (Akula-class), 949 (Granit-class) and 949A (Antei-class) nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarines.

The Project 971 nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarines are third-generation ships designed for attacking surface combatants, submarines and land targets with 533-mm and 650-mm torpedoes and cruise missiles. The boats are equipped with Type 65-76 torpedoes, antisubmarine missile systems and Granit (SS-N-21 Sampson) cruise missiles. They carry plenty of mission equipment, including the MGK-540 Skat-3 sonar, and feature a reduced acoustic signature typical of the third-generation submarines. The Project 971 attack submarines are reported to be on a par with the US Navy’s Los Angeles-class SSNs in this respect.