The Ukrainian Submarine Is Back In Regular Service

I am very much respecting all the efforts Ukrainian Navy is putting to maintain a submarine force. Given their limited resources and their dependence on foreign counties on some critical issues they could easily give up their silent service just like Bulgarians did, or the Danish. By giving up their silent service they could have saved important resources some of which might have been used to speed up the construction of their corvette. But no! The Ukrainians are determined to keep their silent service up and running even if it means using an almost obsolete 41-year-old submarine probably only limited to (or near) periscope depth.

According to Ukrainian Defence Ministry the sole Ukrainian submarine the Foxtrot (project 641) class diesel-electric submarine Zaporizya returned to regular service.

In Sevastopol held celebrations to mark the adoption of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” to combat fleet.

Congratulate Submariner with a significant event came to head the Center for Naval Operations Navy captain 1 rank Andrei Tarasov, veterans-submariners, sailors and family members of chefs – representatives Vilnyanskiy district administration of Zaporozhye region.

The celebrations began with the alignment of personnel and head to “Zaporozhye” Navy flag and flags roztsvichuvannya.

The commander of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” Captain 2 rank Robert Shahyeyev said that last year the crew at the same time was very difficult and responsible, but by the number of successful assignments.

– Last year, “Zaporozhye” took part in joint Ukrainian-Russian exercises “Fairway of Peace”, the sea trials out to sea and conducted a dive to periscope depth, and also participated in a joint celebration of Fleet of Ukraine and the Russian Navy Day in Sevastopol – said the commander of the submarine.

At the end of the crew members of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” and present guests were photographed together in memory.

Well, hats off to this remarkable success.

The Ukrainian Submarine Zaporizya Made Her First Dive

Ukrainian Submarine U01 Zaporizya returning from trials. Photo: Ukraine Armed Forces

The effort of the Ukrainian Navy and the resources they spend to put their only submarine Foxtrot class (Project 641) U-01 Zaporizya back to full operational status is amazing.

I have tried to follow and report of these efforts since I have heard about it, in February 2010. After being left unused and unmaintained for a very long periods, the submarine was painstakingly and gradually restored to operational status with the help of Russian Navy.

On 18th July 2012 U-01 Zaporizya made her first succesful dive and her underwater performance was tested. I think that the dive may have been limited to the periscope depth but nevertheless it was an important step in the restoration of the submarine back to the service.

“The trial dive of the vessel has been successful. According to a special commission, the submarine is completely controllable, which is the most important thing,” the acting commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Vice Admiral Yuriy Ilyin said after the test dive in Sevastopol on Wednesday.

“We do not doubt that the sea trials of the Zaporizhia submarine will be successful and the submarine will enter the fleet,” Ilyin said.

The Sole Ukraine Submarine Conducted Sea Trials In Black Sea

Ukrainian naval ensign raised on Zaporizya. Photo: Official Ukraine Armed Forces

I was slow to follow this event but it is important.

Between 23 and 27 April 2012, the sole Ukrainian submarine Zaporizya conducted a series of test in the Black Sea. This is the first time that the 42 year old submarine sailed alone since 1992.

The Foxtrot (Project 641) class Zaporizya is the only submarine in Ukrainian inventory. She her large scaled overhaul started in February 2010. The aim of Ukrainian Navy was to have her ready for duty by the end of May 2011.

According to Jane’s Fighting Ships , Zaporizya has maximum speeds of 16 kt surfaced and 15 kt dived, with a range of 20,000 n miles at 8 kt surfaced and 380 n miles at 2 kt dived.

Although the age and the condition of the submarine will restrict her operations below water considerably without any doubt this trials mark a very important step for the Ukrainian Navy as they have regained their submarine force back. I must say that I envy the courage of the crew of the boat.

Today, April 27, after successfully conducted in the Black Sea the first phase of sea trials to return submarine Sevastopol Naval Forces of Ukraine “Kiev”.

At 15.20 pryshvartuvalasya submarine to berth wall of the 13th shipyard Black Sea fleet.

The crew of the submarine “Zaporizhia” personally met the Commander of Naval Forces Admiral Viktor Maksimov Ukraine. Chairman of the host committee captain 1st rank Roman sleek submarine commander Captain 2nd rank Robert Shaheyev commander reported the successful completion of the campaign.

Commander of Naval Forces Admiral Viktor Maksimov Ukraine by telephone reported the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Dmytro Salamatin the successful completion of the first phase of sea trials and mooring berth at the factory.

Head of the Ministry of Defence Dmitry Salamatin greeted the crew of the submarine “Zaporizhia” the successful performance of assigned tasks and return to Sevastopol.

Ship for the first time since 1993 on April 25 went to sea with its own power plant. For three days the crew submarine was tested in a complex work of power plant at different running modes and performance equipment and technology.Members of the combat units together with experts sudnoremontnykamy-tested health equipment and various tools.

In particular, in the electromechanical part of the battle were determined allowable load on the main diesel engine, with dimensions appropriate parameters at different frequencies of rotation of the crankshaft and the line shaft. Reliable feeding device horizontal and vertical steering wheels steering, tested hydraulic and air system pressure.

In addition, by controlling the verification capacity of the battery when running motors at full power in the above-water position, and also tested other systems and mechanisms.

During sea trials are carefully checked the reliability of communications, radar, search, sonar equipment and mate.

Overall, during sea trials the boat was about 135 nautical miles in the above-water position.

It should be stressed that the test took place in view of strict control in terms of security, the deployment of all necessary protective systems and equipment.

The reactivation of the submarine creates a new dilemma for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Keeping the 41 year old submarine with a very limited remaining service life, will be very difficult and expensive, draining valuable resources needed for other naval projects. On the other hand scrapping the sole submarine of the navy after so much public attention will not be a good political move.

I think the words of the Ukrainian Defense Minister Dmytro Salamatin sums the situation nicely: I wish you, to the number of dives always coincided with the number rises to the surface “