MOSCOW, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Russia has floated out its first Borei-A-class strategic missile-carrying, nuclear-powered submarine Prince Vladimir, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

The new submarine will enter into all the regular stages of factory and state tests, it said in a statement.

The Prince Vladimir will be commissioned next year, Admiral Vladimir Korolev, commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, was quoted as saying at the floating-out ceremony by local news agencies.

Work continues on four more Borei-A-class nuclear submarines armed with ballistic missiles -- Prince Oleg, Generalissimo Suvorov, Emperor Alexander III and Prince Pozharsky.

These submarines are expected to form the basis of Russia's naval strategic nuclear force.0 Borei-A-class submarines, capable of carrying up to 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles each, are an upgraded version of previous Borei-class vessels.

Three Borei-class submarines have been built so far. The Yuri Dolgoruky submarine is serving the Northern Fleet, while the other two -- Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Monomakh -- are with the Pacific Fleet.

Earlier this month, Chief of Russia's General Staff Valery Gerasimov said work had started to develop a Borei-B-class nuclear submarine with improved characteristics, but did not give details. Enditem

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