The Russian Pacific Fleet’s naval base in Vilyuchinsk is fully prepared to receive the new Borey Class strategic nuclear-powered submarines, a Russian military analyst has said.

The Borey Class submarines, designed to carry 12 Bulava ballistic missiles, are intended to constitute the core of Russia’s strategic submarine fleet from 2018, according to RIA Novosti.

Russia has plans to build eight such submarines by 2015, of which three, the Alexander Nevsky, the Vladimir Monomakh and Svyatitel Nikolai (St Nicholas), are in various stages of completion.

The strategic submarines of the Pacific Fleet will be included into the 16th Squadron, based in Vilyuchinsk, that includes four Delta III Class submarines.

The Delta III Class submarines carry the D-16R missile system with 16 R-29R (SS-N-18) missiles and are being gradually withdrawn from service.