Alexei Rakhmanov, the CEO of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), revealed that Russian Project 885M Yasen-class multipurpose nuclear-powered submarines will be re-equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles, and this process is already underway.

The nuclear submarines of the Yasen class are currently equipped with the Kalibr and Oniks cruise missiles and Fizik-type torpedoes.

"By decision of the Russian Ministry of Defense, multipurpose nuclear submarines of the Yasen-M project will be equipped with the Zircon missile system. Work in this direction is already underway," Rakhmanov told Sputnik.

In the same context, Rakhmanov confirmed that the Russian Navy will receive at least five more ships by the end of the year.

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"This year, we have already commissioned three new ships and repaired one. By the end of the year, we expect to transfer at least five more ships," he said.

Earlier this year, the USC CEO told Sputnik that the shipbuilding corporation was planning to transfer at least 11 vessels to the Russian navy in 2023, including five submarines (three nuclear ones and two diesel ones), as well as ships designated for near and far maritime zones.

Russia to test project 11356M frigates for Indian navy - USC

Elsewhere, Rakhmanov said the construction of two Project 11356M frigates for the Indian Navy is proceeding according to updated schedules with a slight delay.

A contract for the supply by Russia of two Project 11356M frigates was signed by the Indian Defense Ministry on October 27, 2018.

"Currently, the construction of the ships is proceeding according to the updated completion and testing schedules. Some items are slightly behind schedule (less than 6 months). Test runs of diesel generators have been carried out on the first of the frigates, preparations are underway for factory mooring tests," Rakhmanov explained.

Read more: Russian, Chinese navies conduct search and destroy drills of mock sub