China will get 2 subs this year, Admiralty Wharfs promises

Admiralty Wharfs expects to turn over to China two diesel submarines of the 656 type (using NATO terminology) by the end of the year, Vladimir Aleksandrov, general director of the firm, told journalists. The Chinese order, for five submarines in all, will be filled by the end of 2005, Aleksandrov said.

Admiralty Wharfs specializes in submarine and oil-terminal construction. It has produced a total of 298 submarines, including 41 nuclear-powered vessels.