RUSSIAN AKULA II CLASS ATTACK SUBMARINE K335 "GEPARD"

Description

The Russian Akula II Class submarine is an improved version of the Akula I, and is 2.5 meters longer and 230 tons heavier. The size increase was to accommodate an active noise reduction system, and a new MGK-540 sonar array. Due to the import of sophisticated milling machines from Japan, the Akula II is much quieter than previous Russian submarines. With a speed of 33 knots submerged and a depth of over 450 meters, these are comperable to the American designs of the 1990’s. K-335 Gepard is the second submarine of the class, launched in September 1999, it was not commissioned into the Russian Navy until 2001. K-335 is armed with 4 x 533mm and 4 x 650mm torpedo tubes, with provision for another 6 externally mounted 650mm tubes. These can fire a wide variety of torpedos, mines and missiles. Due to budgetary restrictions only 1 more Akula II was built, K-152 Nerpa. Further submarines of this class were cancelled, however 2 "export" Akula II’s may be built for the Indian Navy. (Scale : 1/350e)