Submarine Proliferation

Russia Current Capabilities

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Updated January 2010

Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, the once mighty Soviet submarine fleet entered a period of prolonged crisis from which it is only just beginning to emerge. The Russian Navy now faces a dual task. On the one hand, it needs to complete the dismantlement of the submarines it no longer needs or cannot maintain, a task that is nearing completion. On the other hand, the shrunken force has to be maintained and modernized. Whereas international assistance has contributed to the first task, the second is the exclusive prerogative of the Russian government, the Ministry of Defense, and the navy. (For more information on foreign assistance for Russian submarine dismantlement and related issues, please see "Russia: Naval Fuel Cycle Foreign Assistance," in the NIS Nuclear and Missile Database.)

The submarine force is intended to support several missions. SSBNs are viewed as an integral part of Russia's nuclear triad and as contributing to nuclear deterrence as relatively invulnerable, primarily second-strike assets. The number of SSBNs is dwindling, however, and, perhaps most important, the navy cannot maintain many SSBNs on combat patrol—according to open sources, no more than one or two SSBNs are on patrol at any given moment, and there have been periods of time when no SSBN was on patrol at all. Although Soviet SSBNs were given the capability to launch missiles from the surface, including when moored to the pier, this is poor consolation because, in port, SSBNs are little but a "soft" (unhardened) and very attractive target that cannot contribute to deterrence.

The "attack" or multipurpose nuclear submarine force traditionally had a primarily anti-ship and anti-submarine mission: they were supposed to hunt and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships (the priority target was U.S. aircraft carriers). Consequently, the emphasis was given to anti-ship cruise missiles and torpedoes, the latest models of which are highly sophisticated. The same mission was also supported by diesel submarines in relatively shallow waters close to shore or in narrow straits. More recently, attack submarines have also acquired cruise missiles for use against land targets. With the exception of SLBMs, all weapons on board submarines are non-nuclear in accordance with the 1991 U.S.-Soviet Presidential Nuclear Initiatives (PNIs).

Although defense spending has increased in recent years, the available funds are still insufficient in the face of the backlog of modernization, training, maintenance, and dismantlement tasks. Like the rest of the armed forces, the navy is haunted by insufficient funding, which limits its ability to conduct regular overhauls of operational submarines and even to maintain them in a combat-ready state. Although the Russian Navy has almost completed upgrading procedures on its six remaining operational Delta IV SSBNs, it is expected that most of the remaining Delta III's will be decommissioned by 2013. Given the problems that have been encountered with test firings of the new Bulava SLBM, which is being developed for the new Borey-class strategic nuclear submarines, it appears likely that the rate of decommissioning will continue to exceed that of force modernization. Another navy-specific problem is the burden of past and recent political decisions, which tended to set overambitious goals that cannot be supported by current funding; this problem applies primarily to the SSBN fleet.

Paradoxically, the long period of decline has helped to optimize the submarine fleet and make it more cost-effective. Prospective future programs now emphasize smaller, cheaper, but also more technologically advanced multipurpose vessels.

The strategic submarine fleet—SSBNs carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles—seems to be in the worst shape. Currently, Russia has no more than 16 SSBNs and this number is likely to contract further once the remaining Delta III's are decommissioned. The largest (and the most expensive) SSBNs in the world, Project 941 Akula (NATO name Typhoon), are nearing extinction with one of the three remaining vessels, Dmitriy Donskoy, being used as a testing platform for the Bulava missile. The reasonably modern Project 667BDRM Delfin (Delta IV) that are the mainstay of the SSBN fleet number only six and their predecessor, Project 667BDR Kalmar (Delta III) number five. SSBN modernization remained at a standstill until a few years ago, in contrast to other elements of the submarine fleet.

The sorry state of the SSBN force could be attributed to the failure, in the mid-1990s, of a program to develop the new solid-fuel Bark SLBM, based on the older R-39 (SS-N-20) SLBM that was deployed on Project 941 Akula (Typhoon) submarines. The new missile was supposed to keep the Akulas "afloat" and be deployed subsequently on the new, smaller SSBN, Project 955 Borey, whose first keel was laid in 1996. When the Bark program was terminated in 1997, construction of the first Borey, Yuriy Dolgorukiy, had to be frozen. In 1998, the new Bulava-30 SLBM program was launched, and the Borey class had to be redesigned for the new missile; this also doomed Akulas with the exception of the Dmitriy Donskoy, which was overhauled to serve as a testing platform for the future SLBM). Although Yuriy Dolgorukiy is currently undergoing sea trials with the Northern Fleet, the future of the Bulava missile program has been called into question after a series of failed test-firings. An additional two Borey-class submarines, the Aleksandr Nevskiy and Vladimir Monomakh, were laid down in 2004 and 2006 respectively and are likely to join the Pacific Fleet. It seems that following many years of delays, insufficient funding, and design failures the Navy is rushing to bring the new SSBN into service at the earliest possible date. Although estimates vary, it is believed that the new class will eventually number between eight and ten strategic nuclear submarines, although future events will continue to affect this number.

By contrast, the shape of the nuclear attack submarine fleet—which will also represent the core of the submarine fleet not only by their numbers, but also in terms of their mission—can be predicted reasonably well. The main task of the existing and future vessels in this category is finding and destroying enemy submarines and surface ships (including aircraft carriers and aircraft carrier groups), as well as land targets.

Their modernization concentrates on designs that date back to the late 1970s and 1980s, which had matured by the last years of the Soviet Union. Production of the large third-generation attack nuclear submarines of Project 945 Barrakuda (NATO name Sierra I) and 945A Kondor (NATO name Sierra II) was discontinued in 1993 (the unfinished fifth submarine of that class, Project 945B Mars was disassembled at the shipyard); only two ships in that class remain in service, the Pskov and Nizhny Novgorod. The main drawbacks of these submarines from today's perspective are their high cost (caused, in part, by the titanium hull) and limited mission—they were originally designed for antisubmarine warfare (ASW), although the modification, Project 945A, was also equipped with Granat (NATO designation SS-N-21 Sampson) cruise missiles intended to attack land targets. A number of second-generation Project 671RTM-RTMK Shchuka (Victor III) boats remain part of the fleet, but these will probably be decommissioned in the near future.

The core of the attack nuclear submarine fleet consists of Project 971 Shchuka B (NATO name Akula) submarines—a smaller multipurpose development of Project 945 (Nato name Sierra). Project 971 began in the mid-1970s and the first submarine in that class was launched in 1984. A total of 14 of these SSNs have been built, the latest, Nerpa, was launched in 2006. Russia continued building the Nerpa after its construction, along with other vessels, was frozen in the 1990s due to a lack of funding. Project 971 SSNs are widely known as the quietest, fastest, most modern submarines in Russia and are widely reported to be on a par with the most advanced U.S. attack submarines. Another "core class" of SSNs are Projects 949 Granit and 949A Antey (NATO names Oscar I and II); 13 of these submarines have been built. There are no reports, however, about building new submarines of these classes.

The future of the Russian attack submarine fleet is represented by fourth-generation cruise-missile Project 885 Yasen (NATO name Granay), the second of which, Kazan, was laid down in 2009. Project 885 is supposed to eventually replace Projects 945 and 949, so that only two classes of attack submarines will remain in the navy.

Diesel submarines number about 20 and are represented by reasonably advanced Project 877 Varshavyanka (NATO name Kilo) class submarines of various modifications, which entered service in late 1980s. A submarine of the latest modification entered service in 2000. Construction of the most recent submarine in that class was completed in May 2005, but the vessel was intended for export. In early 2005, the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg launched the St. Petersburg, the first submarine of a new class, Project 677 Lada; an export version of that class, Project 677E (Amur-1650) will also be produced in the near future.

NUCLEAR-POWERED BALLISTIC-MISSILE SUBMARINES (SSBNs)

Project 955 Borey
Displacement, metric tons: 11,750-14,720 surfaced 16,750-24,000 submerged Dimensions, ft (m): 557.7 x 44.3 x 29.5-32.8 (170 x 13.5 x 9-10) Main machinery: 2 PWR reactors; 2 diesel generators; 3,400 hp (m) (2.5 MW); 1 motor; 5,576 hp(m) (4.1 MW) Speed, knots: 15 surfaced 26-29 submerged Complement: 107-130 (including 55 officers) Diving depth, ft (m): 1,250-1,475 (380-450) Endurance: 100 days Weapons: 12 Bulava (Topol-M-type) SLBMs; Type 86R Vodopad (NATO designation SS-N-16 Stallion) ASW missiles; four 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes and two 25.6" (650 mm) tubes Comments: Currently under construction. The first of class, Yuriy Dolgorukiy, was laid down in 1996. It had to be substantially redesigned in 1999 to accommodate the new Bulava SLBM design. There are currently three vessels under construction: Yuriy Dolgorukiy (currently undergoing sea trials with the Northern Fleet), Aleksandr Nevskiy (laid down in March 2004) and Vladimir Monomach (laid down in March 2006). Testing of the new Bulava-30 SLBM continues despite the ongoing difficulties.	Project 955 Borey submarine Source: www.globalsecurity.org
Sources: [1] "Bulava programme skips ground launches," Jane's Missiles and Rockets, www.janes.com, July 1, 2005. [2] Combat Fleets of the World, 2000-2001. [3] Mark Galeotti, "Putin puts confidence in new generation of missiles," Jane's Intelligence Review, www.janes.com, February 1, 2005. [4] Bellona Website, www.bellona.org, August 20, 2004.

 

Project 667BDRM Delfin (NATO name Delta IV)
Displacement, metric tons: 11,700 surfaced 18,200 submerged Dimensions, ft (m): 548 x 38.4 x 29 (167 x 11.7 x 8.8 m) Main machinery: Two VM-4SG PWR reactors, 90 MW each; two OK-700A steam turbines, 20,000 hp each Speed, knots: 13-14 surfaced 22-24 submerged Complement: 130-135 men Diving depth, ft (m): 1,300 (400) Weapons: 16 R-29RM Shtil (NATO designation SS-N-23 Skiff) SLBMs; four 21" (533 mm) tubes with 12 torpedoes and/or Type 86R Vodopad (NATO designation SS-N-16 Stallion) missiles.	Project 667BDRM Delfin Submarine Source: www.naval-technology.com
Sources: [1] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 1 "RPKSN i mnogotselevyye PL" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2002). [2] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 2 "Mnogotselevyye PL i PL spetsnaznacheniya" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print,2003). [3] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [4] V. Demyanovskiy et al, Podvodnyy shchit SSSR, vol. 1 "Atomnyye mnogotselevyye podvodnyye lodki" (Rybnisk: Star, 2003). [5] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), 591.

 

Project 941 Akula (NATO name Typhoon)
Displacement, metric tons: 23,200-28,500 surfaced 48,000-49,800 dived Dimensions, ft (m): 57 x 76.4 x 37.7 (172.8 x 23.3 x 11.5) Main machinery: Two VM-5 PWR reactors, 190 MW each; two OK-650 steam turbines, 50,000 hp each Speed, knots: 12-16 surfaced 25-26 dived Complement: 50-52 officers and 100-127 crew Diving depth, ft (m): 1,312-1,640 (400-500 m) Endurance: 90-120 days Weapons: 20 R-39 (NATO designation SS-N-20 Sturgeon) SLBMs; RPK-2 Tsakra (NATO designation SS-N-15 Starfish) ASW missiles and/or torpedoes fired from four 21" (533 mm) and two 25.6" (650 mm) tubes. Comments: The Typhoon submarines do not currently have operational SLBMs. Dmitriy Donskoy, relaunched in June 2002 after refit, acts as a test-bed for the new Bulava SLBM. The Bark SLBM originally intended for the submarine was cancelled, and the Bulava SLBM (related to the Topol M ICBM), which will also arm Borey-class SSBNs, is under development.	Project 941 Akula submarine Source:
Sources: [1] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 1 "RPKSN i mnogotselevyye PL" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2002). [2] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 2 "Mnogotselevyye PL i PL spetsnaznacheniya" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2003). [3] Aleksandr Belkin, "Potemkinskiye eskadry," Grani.ru Web Site, www.grani.ru, 24 July 2002. [4] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [5] V. Demyanovskiy et al, Podvodnyy shchit SSSR, vol. 1 "Atomnyye mnogotselevyye podvodnyye lodki" (Rybnisk: Star, 2003). [6] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), 591. [7] "Russia Nuclear Sub Launched After 12-Year Overhaul," BBC Monitoring, 26 June 2002; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, www.lexis-nexis.com.

 

Project 667BDR Kalmar (NATO name Delta III)
Displacement, metric tons: 8,940-10,600 surfaced 10,600-13,700 submerged Dimensions, ft (m): 508.5 x 38.4 x 28.5 (155 x 11.7 x 8.7) Main machinery: Two VM-4S PWR reactors, 90 MW each; two OK-700A steam turbines, 20,000 hp each Speed, knots: 14 surfaced 24-25 submerged Complement: 30-40 officers; 50-90 crew Diving depth, ft (m): 1,050-1,312 (320-400) Endurance: 80-90 days Weapons: 16 R-29 R (NATO designation SS-N-18 Stingray) SLBMs; 12 torpedoes and/or Type 86R Vodopad (NATO designation SS-N-16 Stallion) ASW missiles fired from four 21" (533 mm) tubes. Comments: All Delta III vessels are currently based with the Pacific Fleet..
Sources: [1] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 1 "RPKSN i mnogotselevyye PL" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2002). [2] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 2 "Mnogotselevyye PL i PL spetsnaznacheniya" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2003). [3] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [4] V. Demyanovskiy et al, Podvodnyy shchit SSSR, vol. 1 "Atomnyye mnogotselevyye podvodnyye lodki" (Rybnisk: Star, 2003). [5] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), 592.

 

NUCLEAR-POWERED ATTACK SUBMARINES (SSNs)

 

Project 945 Barrakuda (NATO name Sierra I)
Displacement, metric tons: 5,200-7,600 surfaced 9,100-10,400 submerged Dimensions, ft (m): 370 x 36.7 x 28 (112.7 x 11.2 x 8.5) Main machinery: One VM-5 190 MW reactor; one OK-650B 50,000 hp steam turbine Speed, knots: 14-18 surfaced 32.8-36 dived Complement: 31-32 officers and 28-38 crew Diving depth, ft (m): 2,000-2,625 (610-800) Endurance: 50-100 days Weapons: P-100 Oniks (NATO designation SS-N-22 Sunburn) ASW missiles; RPK-6 Vodopad and Type 86R Vodopad (NATO designation SS-N-16 Stallion) ASW missiles; Type 40 torpedoes fired from fired from four 21" (533 mm) tubes and four 25.6" (650 mm) tubes (total of 40 weapons, or 42 mines in lieu of torpedoes). Comments: The K-534 Nizhniy Novgorod completed a refit/refuel in May 2008.	Project 945B Kondor Submarine
Sources: [1] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 1 "RPKSN i mnogotselevyye PL" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2002). [2] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 2 "Mnogotselevyye PL i PL spetsnaznacheniya" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2003). [3] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [4] V. Demyanovskiy et al, Podvodnyy shchit SSSR, vol. 1 "Atomnyye mnogotselevyye podvodnyye lodki" (Rybnisk: Star, 2003). [5] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), p. 593.

 

Project 945B Kondor (NATO Name Sierra II)
Displacement, metric tons: 5,940-7,200 surfaced 6,800-10,100 submerged Dimensions, ft (m): 351.6 x 40.3 x 31.6 (107.16 x 12.28 x 9.62 m) Main machinery: One VM-5 190 MW reactor; one OK-650A 50,000 hp steam turbine Speed, knots: 12.1-18 surfaced 35-36 submerged Complement: 31 officers, 28-30 crew Diving depth, ft (m): 1,970-2,625 (600-800) Endurance: 50-100 days Weapons: P-100 Oniks (NATO designation SS-N-22 Sunburn) ASW missiles; Type 86R Vodopad and 88R Vodoley (NATO designation SS-N-16 Stallion) ASW missiles; Type 40 torpedoes fired from fired from four 21" (533 mm) tubes and four 25.6" (650 mm) tubes (total of 40 weapons, or 42 mines in lieu of torpedoes). Comments: The K-534 Nizhniy Novgorod completed a refit/refuel in May 2008.
Sources: [1] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 1 "RPKSN i mnogotselevyye PL" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2002). [2] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 2 "Mnogotselevyye PL i PL spetsnaznacheniya" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2003). [3] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [4] V. Demyanovskiy et al, Podvodnyy shchit SSSR, vol. 1 "Atomnyye mnogotselevyye podvodnyye lodki" (Rybnisk: Star, 2003). [5] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), 598.

 

Project 971/971U/971O Shchuka-B/Bars (NATO Name Akula)
Displacement, metric tons: 8,632 surfaced; 12,770 dived (according to Jane's, 8,140 surfaced; 10,500 dived Dimensions, ft (m): 361.6 x 44.6 x 45.2 (110.23 x 13.6 x 13.78 m) Main machinery: One VM-5 190 MW reactor; one OK-9VM or OK-650M.01 50,000 hp steam turbine Speed, knots: 11.2 surfaced; 33.3 knots dived Complement: 33 officers and 40 crew (according to Jane's, 31 officers and 31 crew) Diving depth, ft (m): 1,968.5 (600) Endurance: 100 days Weapons: RK-55 Granat (NATO designation SS-N-21 Sampson) SLCMs, 3M51 Alfa (NATO designation SS-N-27) SLCMs, and RPK-2 Tsakra (NATO designation SS-N-15 Starfish) ASW missiles launched from four 21" (533 mm) tubes; four 25.6" (650 mm) tubes with Type 86R Vodopad (NATO designation SS-N-16 Stallion) ASW missiles and/or torpedoes; mines; Improved Akulas (971U) and Akula IIs (971O) have six additional 533 mm external tubes in the bow Comments: The Akulas are the core of the Russian SSN force. Two additional Akula IIs are under construction at the Amurskiy Shipyard. The last two additional project numbers are included in Jane's.
Sources: [1] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 1 "RPKSN i mnogotselevyye PL" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2002). [2] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 2 "Mnogotselevyye PL i PL spetsnaznacheniya" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2003). [3] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [4] Combat Fleets of the World (2000-2001). V. Demyanovskiy et al, Podvodnyy shchit SSSR, vol. 1 "Atomnyye mnogotselevyye podvodnyye lodki" (Rybnisk: Star, 2003). [5] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), 596.

 

Project 671RTMK Shchuka (NATO Name Victor III)
Displacement, metric tons: 4,750 surfaced; 5670 dived Dimensions, ft (m): 351.7 x 35.4 x 24.3 (107.2 x 10.8 x 7.4) Main machinery: Two VM-4P, 4T, 72 MW each; Two OK-300 steam turbines, 31,000 hp each Speed, knots: 10-11.7 surfaced; 30 dived Complement: 23 officers and 76 men Diving depth, ft (m): 1,312 (400) Endurance: 80 days Weapons: Four 21" (533 mm) tubes with torpedoes, RK-55 Granat (NATO designation SS-N-21 Sampson) SLCMs, 3M51 Alfa (NATO designation SS-N-27) SLCMs, and RPK-2 Tsakra (NATO designation SS-N-15 Starfish) ASW missiles; two 25.6" (650 mm) tubes with Type 86R Vodopad (NATO designation SS-N-16 Stallion) ASW missiles and/or torpedoes; can carry 36 mines in lieu of torpedoes Comments:
Sources: [1] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 1 "RPKSN i mnogotselevyye PL" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2002). [2] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 2 "Mnogotselevyye PL i PL spetsnaznacheniya" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2003). [3] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [4] V. Demyanovskiy et al, Podvodnyy shchit SSSR, vol. 1 "Atomnyye mnogotselevyye podvodnyye lodki" (Rybnisk: Star, 2003). [5] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), 599.

 

NUCLEAR-POWERED CRUISE-MISSILE ATTACK SUBMARINES (SSGNs)

 

Project 885 Yasen (NATO name Granay)
Displacement, metric tons: 5,900-9,500 surfaced 8,600-11,800 submerged Dimensions, ft (m): 364.2-393.7 x 39.4-49.2 x 27.5-32.8 (111-120 x 12-15 x 8.4-10) Main machinery: One 195 MW PWR reactor; 2GT3A turbines; 43,000 hp(m) (31.6 MW); 1 shaft; pump-jet propulsor; 2 spinners Speed, knots: 17 surfaced; 28-31 submerged Complement: 80-85 (30 officers) Diving depth, ft (m): Information not available Endurance: Information not available Weapons: 3M51 Alfa (NATO designation SS-N-27) SLCMs, eight vertical launchers with 24 missiles; about 30 RPK-2 Tsakra (NATO designation SS-N-15 Starfish) ASW missiles and/or torpedoes fired from 21" (533 mm) and 25.6" (650 mm) torpedo tubes Comments: First of class, the Severodvinsk, is under construction at Sevmash
Sources: [1] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), 592. [2] "PLARK - Proyekt 885 'Yasen'," Rossiyskiy podvodnyy flot Website, http://submarine.id.ru.

 

Project 949A Antey (NATO name Oscar II)
Displacement: 15,100 surfaced; 25,650 dived (according to Jane's, 13,900 surfaced; 18,300 dived) Dimensions, ft (m): 507.5 x 59 x 31.2 (154.7 x 18 x 9.5) Main machinery: Two VM-4P PWR reactors, 75 MW each; two OK-300 steam turbines, 31,000 hp each Speed, knots: 14.6 surfaced; 33.4 dived Complement: 48 officers and 59 crew Diving depth, ft (m): 1,970 (600) Endurance: 120 days Weapons: Four 21" (533 mm) tubes with torpedoes, SS-N-19 Granit (NATO Name Shipwreck) SSMs, 3M51 Alfa (NATO designation SS-N-27) SLCMs may be carried, and RPK-2 Tsakra (NATO designation SS-N-15 Starfish) ASW missiles; two 25.6" (650 mm) tubes with Type 86R Vodopad (NATO designation SS-N-16 Stallion) ASW missiles and/or torpedoes; can carry 32 mines Comments: Jane's refers to this as Project 949B.
Sources: [1] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 1 "RPKSN i mnogotselevyye PL" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2002). [2] Yuriy Apalkov, Podvodnyye lodki, vol. 1, part 2 "Mnogotselevyye PL i PL spetsnaznacheniya" (St. Petersburg: Galea Print, 2003). [3] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [4] V. Demyanovskiy et al, Podvodnyy shchit SSSR, vol. 1 "Atomnyye mnogotselevyye podvodnyye lodki" (Rybnisk: Star, 2003). [5] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), p. 594.

 

Diesel-Powered Submarines WITH AUXILIARY NUCLEAR REACTOR

 

Project 20120
Displacement, metric tons: 2,300 surfaced; 3,950 submerged Dimensions, ft (m): 238 x 32.4 x 23 (72.6 x 9.9 x 7) Main machinery: Diesel generators, number and type unknown; one auxiliary nuclear reactor (sources conflict as to whether the reactor is a BWR or PWR; power level unknown) Speed, knots: 10 surfaced 17 submerged Complement: 52 Range, miles: 650 at 3 knots submerged 6,000 at 7 knots snorting Diving depth, ft (m): 984 (300) Endurance: 45 days Weapons: none Comments: The pilot boat, Sarov, launched in December 2007, is intended as a test-bed for Russia’s Northern Fleet. For more information, see Russia: General Naval Developments
Sources: [1] "Gorod Savor gotov vzyat shevstvo nad podvodnoy lodkoy 'Sarov,'" 6 September 2007, Sarov administration press release, 9 January 2008, http://forums.airbase.ru. [2] "Stoletiye podvodnykh sil Rossii," NIKIET Website, 2006, www.nikiet.ru [3] "Dostizheniya," NIKIET Website, www.nikiet.ru [4] "Novyy Korabl Sevmasha," Sevmash press release, 14 December 2007, www.sevmash.ru.

 

DIESEL-POWERED SUBMARINES (SSKs)

 

Project 667 Lada (Export class Amur)
Displacement, metric tons: 1,765 surfaced; 2,650 dived Dimensions, ft (m): 223.1 x 23.6 x 14.4 (66.8 x 7.1 x 6.7) Main machinery: Two 3,499 hp (2.5 MW) diesel generators; one 5,576 hp (4.1 MW) motor Speed, knots: 10 surfaced 21 submerged Complement: 35 Range, miles: 650 at 3 knots submerged 6,000 at 7 knots snorting Diving depth, ft (m): 820 (300) Endurance: 45 days Weapons: Torpedoes: six 21" (533 mm) tubes. 18 weapons, or mines in lieu of torpedoes. Comments: The first of class, Sankt Peterburg, was launched by Admiralty Shipyards in October 2004. The export version of this boat is known as the Amur class. There are six different versions based on displacement.
Sources: [1] Admiralty Shipyard Website, www.admship.ru. [2] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), p. 599. [3] "Proyekt 677 i 677E," www.deepstorm.ru. [4] Richard Scott, "Russia Launches First Project 677 Submarine," Jane's Defence Weekly, November 3, 2004.

 

Project 877K/877M/636 Varshavyanka (NATO name Kilo)
Displacement: 2,325 surfaced; 3,076 submerged Dimensions, ft (m): 238.2; 242.1 (Project 636) x 32.5 x 21.7 Main machinery: Two 3,650 hp (2.68 MW) diesel generators; one 5,900hp (4.34 MW) motor Speed, knots: 10 surfaced; 17 submerged; 9 snorting Complement: 52 (13 officers) Range, miles: 6,000 at 7 knots snorting; 400 at 3 knots submerged Diving depth, ft (m): 790 (240) Endurance: 52 Weapons: Can be outfitted with Club-S missiles (NATO name SS-NX-27 'Alfa'), which can have supersonic 3M-54E or subsonic 3M-54EI antiship missiles, 3M-14E land attack cruise missiles or 91RE1 antisubmarine torpedoes. Six 21" (533 mm) tubes with 18 torpedoes, or 24 mines in lieu of torpedoes.
Sources: [1] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005), 600. [2] "Proyekt 877," www.deepstorm.ru. [3] "Russia: Overview of Missiles Exported by Russia," CNS Nuclear and Missile Database, NTI Website, www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/russia/exports/general/expmsl.htm.

 

ACTIVE DUTY SUBMARINES
Name (Number)	Class	Base	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned
K-496 (K506*) Zelenograd	Kalmar/Delta III SSBN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Sevmash	1975	1978	1979
K-506 (K211*) Petropavlovsk Kamchatskiy	Kalmar/Delta III SSBN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Sevmash	1976	1979	1979
K-211 (K223*) Podolsk	Kalmar/Delta III SSBN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Sevmash	1977	1979	1980
K-180 (K433*) Svyatoy Georgiy Pobedonosets	Kalmar/Delta III SSBN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Sevmash	1978	1980	1980
K-444 (K433*) Ryazan	Kalmar/Delta III SSBN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Sevmash	1980	1982	1982
TK-208 Dmitriy Donskoy	Akula/ Typhoon SSBN	Nerpichya (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1976	1979	1981
TK-17 Arkhangelsk	Akula/Typhoon SSBN	Nerpichya (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1983	1986	1987
TK-20 Severstal	Akula/Typhoon SSBN	Nerpichya (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1985	1989	1989
K-51 Verkhoturye	Delfin/Delta IV SSBN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1981	1984	1985
K-84 Yekaterinburg	Delfin/Delta IV SSBN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1982	1985	1986
K-114 Tula	Delfin/Delta IV SSBN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1984	1987	1987
K-117 Bryansk	Delfin/Delta IV SSBN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1985	1988	1988
K-18 Kareliya	Delfin/Delta IV SSBN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1987	1988	1989
K-407 Novomoskovsk	Delfin/Delta IV SSBN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1987	1990	1990
Yuriy Dolgorukiy	Borey SSBN		Sevmash	1996	2006	2008
Aleksandr Nevskiy	Borey SSBN		Sevmash	2004	2008	2009
Vladimir Monomakh	Borey SSBN		Sevmash	2006	2012
B-388 Snezhnogorsk (formerly Petrozavodsk)	Schuka/Victor III SSN	Zaozersk (Northern Fleet)	Admiralty	1987	1988	1988
B-138 Polyarnyye zori (ex-Obninsk)	Schuka/Victor III SSN	Zaozersk (Northern Fleet)	Admiralty	1988	1989	1990
B-414 Daniil Moskovskiy	Schuka/Victor III SSN	Vidyayevo (Northern Fleet)	Admiralty	1989	1990	1990
B-448 Tambov	Schuka/Victor III SSN	Vidyayevo (Northern Fleet	Admiralty	1991	1991	1992
K-276 Kostroma	Barrakuda/Sierra I SSN	Vidyayevo (Northern Fleet)	Krasnoye Sormovo	1984	1986	1987
K-322 Kashalot	Bars/Akula SSN		Amurskiy	1983	1987	1988
K-317 Pantera	Bars/Akula SSN		Sevmash	1986	1990	1990
K-461 Volk	Bars/Akula SSN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1987	1991	1991
K-328 Leopard	Bars/Akula SSN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1988	1992	1992
K-331 Magadan	Bars/Akula SSN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Amurskiy	1989	1990	1991
K-154 Tigr	Bars/Akula SSN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1989	1993	1993
K-157 Vepr	Bars/Akula II SSN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1990	1994	1995
K-419 Kuzbass	Bars/Akula SSN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Amurskiy	1991	1992	1992
K-335 Gepard	Bars/Akula II SSN	Gadzhiyevo (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1991	1999	2001
K-295 (K-267*) Samara	Bars/Akula SSN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Amurskiy	1993	1994	1995
K-152 Nerpa	Bars/Akula SSN	Pacific Fleet	Amurskiy	1993	2007
K-534 Nizhny Novgorod	Kondor/Sierra II SSN	Ara Guba (Northern Fleet)	Nizhny Novgorod	1986	1989	1990
K-336 Pskov	Kondor/Sierra II SSN	Ara Guba (Northern Fleet)	Nizhny Novgorod	1989	1992	1993
K-132 Irkutsk	Antey/Oscar II SSGN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Sevmash	1985	1987	1988
K-119 Voronezh	Antey/Oscar II SSGN	Zaozersk (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1986	1988	1989
K-442 Chelyabinsk	Antey/Oscar II SSGN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Sevmash	1986	1990	1990
K-266 Orel	Antey/Oscar II SSGN	Zaozersk (Northern Fleet)	Sevmash	1989	1992	1992
K-150 (K-526*) Tomsk	Antey/Oscar II SSGN	Rybachiy (Pacific Fleet)	Sevmash	1991	1996	1997
K-329 Severodvinsk	Yasen/Granay SSGN		Sevmash	1993	2009
Kazan	Yasen/ Granay SSGN		Sevmash	2009
B-248	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Pacific Fleet	Amurskiy	1979	1980	1980
B-260 Chita (ex-Razboynik)	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Pacific Fleet	Amurskiy	1980	1981	1981
B-401 Novosibirsk	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Polyarnyy (Northern Fleet)	Krasnoye Sormovo	1988	1989	1990
B-402 Vologda	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Polyarnyy (Northern Fleet)	Krasnoye Sormovo	1988	1989	1990
B-459 Vladikavkaz	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Polyarnyy (Northern Fleet)	Krasnoye Sormovo	1988		1990
B-471 Magnitogorsk	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Polyarnyy (Northern Fleet)	Krasnoye Sormovo	19988		1990
B-227	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Baltic Fleet	Amurskiy	1981	1982	1982
B-871 Alrosa	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Black Sea	Krasnoye Sormovo	1983	1984	1984
B-806	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Baltic Fleet	Krasnoye Sormovo	1985	1986	1986
B-800 Kaluga	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Polyarnyy (Northern Fleet)	Krasnoye Sormovo			1989
B-177 Lipetsk	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Northern Fleet	Krasnoye Sormovo	1989		1991
B-437?	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Northern Fleet	Krasnoye Sormovo	1989	1990	1991
B-345	Varshavyanka/Kilo SSK	Pacific Fleet	Amurskiy	1993	1993	1994
S-100 Sankt Peterburg	Lada SSK		Admiralty	1997	2004	2005
*Designation according to Jane's. Sources: [1] S.S. Berezhnoy, Atomnyye podvodnyye lodki: VMF SSSR i Rossii (Moscow: Naval Kollektsiya, 2001). [2] Jane's Fighting Ships (2004-2005). [3] "Russian Warships," Global Security, www.globalsecurity.org.

 

Information on submarine propulsion reactors was complied by Ole Reistad, Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority. For information on the HEU enrichment of Russian submarine fuel, and other information on submarine reactors, please see Ole Reistad, Morten Bremer Mærli and Nils Bøhmer, "Russian Naval Nuclear Fuel and Reactors," Nonproliferation Review, Vol. 12, No. 1, Spring 2005.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2010 by MIIS.

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