Russian submarine Knyaz Vladimir

The Knyaz Vladimir (Russian: АПЛ Knyaz Vladimir - Prince Vladimir, previously expected - Svyatitel Nikolai) is Russian ballistic missile submarine, lead ship of the fifth generation Project 955A Borei II class (sometimes marked as Project 955U) based on fourth generation Project 955 Borei class submarines.

The project was developed by the Rubin Design Bureau, and the chief designer was Sergey Kovalev. The keel was expected to have been laid down sometime in 2010 but this was delayed until July 2012 because of a price dispute between the Russian MOD and the United Shipbuilding Corporation. The submarine will have several modifications from the previous submarines. This modification will include major structural changes and the installation of 4 more (20 total) launch tubes, and probably other changes. If these reports are true, technically the fourth ship will be the lead ship of a new Borei II class (not official). The submarine will be armed with the newest submarine-launched ballistic missile developed in Russia, the R-30 (RSM-56) Bulava (NATO designation SS-NX-32). The Knyaz Vladimir and its sister ships will replace the Delta class and Typhoon class in the Russian Navy.