MOSCOW, July 26 (RIA Novosti, Alexei Berezin) - Construction on the first fourth-generation diesel-electric submarine for the Russian Navy, Kronstadt, begins Thursday in St. Petersburg.

Fleet Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov, commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, said submarines from the new project, coded 677, would have a number of advantages.

"It will be much more difficult to spot them and the submarines will be equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry," Kuroyedov said.

The production of the pilot submarine for the project began in 1997.

"It is supposed to be commissioned by 2006 after it passes a whole set of tests. Submarines under this project will be commissioned and put into service in all Russian fleets," Kuroyedov said.