Demonstrating a commitment to modernizing its strategic nuclear forces, Russia launched an upgraded Typhoon-class strategic submarine Wednesday from the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk (see GSN, May 6).

“This is actually a new submarine, fitted with the most up-to-date equipment and weapon systems, to serve for many years,” said Sevmash Director General David Pashayev.

The upgraded Typhoon can reach speeds of 27 knots while submerged and can dive to a depth of 400 meters, according to ITAR-Tass.  The submarine has a crew of 170 and is powered by two nuclear reactors.  The Typhoon also has 20 ballistic missile silos and is considered the largest submarine in the world (ITAR-Tass, June 26 in FBIS-SOV, June 26).

The design of the Dmitry Donskoy submarine places its ballistic missile silos outside the ship’s rigid hull, a design measure intended to improve the crew’s survivability rate in the event of an accident, according to ITAR-Tass.

Russia has no intention of ending upgrades to its sea-based strategic forces, despite the recently signed Moscow Treaty and the U.S. withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, Russian Defense Ministry officials said. 

“We are adhering to our national interests,” said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.  “We are building vessels that will ensure Russia’s security under all circumstances” (Interfax/BBC Monitoring, June 27).

For further information, see:

ABM Treaty Text

U.S. Fact Sheet on Withdrawal from ABM Treaty

Moscow Treaty Text

Bush Announces Treaty

U.S. State Department Fact Sheet on Arms Reduction Treaty

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