The Russian Submarine Navy

THE RUSSIAN SUBMARINE NAVY

State of the Russian Fleet: Due to continued political, economic and societal chaos in Russia, the Fleet is in a badly deteriorated state. Even those ships that remain in commission and theoretically operational are generally unable to deploy, due to lack of trained crews and lack of funds to buy fuel and stores. In general maintenance is minimal or nonexistent, and there are no funds to conduct much-needed overhauls, even for major fleet units. Many ships have been abandoned when repairs or refits came due.

This list identifies those units believed to remain operational, but most of these units are unable to deploy for the reasons cited above. Ships in refit are listed only when there is a reasonable chance of them returning to service. Ships laid up pending refit generally are listed, as they could return to service if funding became available.

Many ships, especially auxiliaries, have been operating in commercial or charter freight or passenger service to raise operating funds. These are listed as active units, as they could rapidly return to naval roles if required.

Fleets: The following abbreviations are used to indicate fleet assignements:
NOR: Northern Fleet, headquarters at Severomorsk.
PAC: Pacific Fleet, headquarters at Vladivostok.
BLK: Black Sea Fleet, headquarters at Sevastopol.
BALT: Baltic Sea Fleet, headquarters at Kaliningrad.
CASP: Caspian Flotilla.
RIV: Units assigned to service on inland rivers.

Ballistic Missile Submarines
Guided Missile Submarines
Attack Submarines
Diesel-Electric Submarines
Special Missions, Trials & Experimental Submarines

Ballistic Missile Submarines

Yuriy Dolgorukiy nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine (0+1 ship)
(Project 955, Borey)

Preliminary Specifications Only
Displacement: approx. 19,400 tons submerged
Dimensions: 170 x 13.5 x 9 meters/557.7 x 44.3 x 29.5 feet
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 OK-650B reactors, 2 shafts, 98,000 shp shp, 29 knots
Crew: approx. 110
Sonar: MGK-540 Skat-3M suite
Armament: unknown SLBM, 6 21 inch torpedo tubes

Concept/Program: A new SSBN design; first unit was laid down late in 1996. Probably will employ the same propulsion plant as the Severodvinsk class. Construction has apparently resumed after a long stoppage. The original planned SLBM was cancelled, so a new missile must be substituted.

Classification: Raketnyy Podvodnyy Strategicheskogo Nazhacheniya (RPKSN); Strategic Missile Cruiser.

Builders: Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk.

Name / Year / FLT / Homeport / Notes
Yuriy Dolgorukiy / Building

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'Typhoon' class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine (1 ship)
(Project 941, Akula)

Displacement: 33,800 tons submerged
Dimensions: 172 x 23.3 x 11 meters/564.3 x 76.4 x 36 feet
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 OK-650 reactors, 2 shafts, 100,000 shp, 25 knots
Crew: 160
Sonar: Skat series/Shark Gill LF active/passive suite
Armament: 20 RSM-52/SS-N-20 Sturgeon SLBM, 6 21 inch torpedo tubes (20+ Type 53-65K, SET-65, SAET-60M torpedoes and/or RPK-6/SS-N-16 Vodopod/Stallion ASROC), 1 SA-14 SAM position

Concept/Program: World's largest submarines; intended to operate under the Arctic ice pack. There are a total of 5 separate pressure vessels within the outer pressure hull. Russia has previously stated that these vessels would be discarded in the near future, and the US has provided funding for their scrapping, but recent statements indicate some or all may be retained in service, and some of the currently inactive units may return to service.

Classification: Raketnyy Podvodnyy Strategicheskogo Nazhacheniya (RPKSN); Strategic Missile Cruiser.

Builders: Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk.

Disposals/Reserve: TK-202 and TK-12 (2nd and 3rd units) discarded by 1996 due to need for repairs/refit; TK-208 (class leader) in overhaul since 1992 and was intended to receive the newer SS-NX-28 Grom SLBM, but will not return to service. TK-13 out of service but could be repaired. TK-17 is also out of service.

Number / Name / Year / FLT / Homeport / Notes
TK-20 / Severstal / 1989 / NOR / Nerpich'ya

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'Delta-IV' class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines (6 ships)
(Project 667BDRM, Del'fin)

Displacement: 18,200 tons submerged
Dimensions: 167 x 11.7 x 8.8 meters/548 x 38.4 x 28.9 feet
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 VM-S4G reactors, 2 shafts, 60,000 shp, 24 knots
Crew: 135
Sonar: MGK-500 series Skat-BDRM/Shark Gill LF active/passive suite with towed array
Armament: 16 RSM-54/SS-N-23 Shtil/Skiff SLBM, 4 21 inch torpedo tubes (12 torpedoes and/or RPK-6/SS-N-16 Vodopod/Stallion ASROC)

Concept/Program: The final version of the 'Delta'/'Yankee' series, with general improvements over the 'Delta-III' class. Intended to remain in service until 2004 at least, but lack of maintenance funding may shorten their lives.

Classification: Raketnyy Podvodnyy Strategicheskogo Nazhacheniya (RPKSN); Strategic Missile Cruiser.

Builders: Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk.

Disposals/Reserve: Two additional units were building but have been cancelled. K-51 in refit since 1993 and unlikely to see further service. K-64 offered for scrap; K-84 may be inoperable.

Number / Name / Year / FLT / Homeport / Notes
K-84 / 1986 / NOR / Onen'ya
K-114 / 1989 / NOR / Onen'ya
K-117 / Bryansk / 1990 / NOR / Onen'ya
K-18 / Kareliya / 1991 / NOR / Onen'ya
K-407 / Novomoskovsk / 1992 / NOR / Onen'ya

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'Delta-III' class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines (5 ships)
(Project 667BDR, Kal'mar)

Displacement: 16,000+ tons submerged
Dimensions: 155 x 11.7 x 8.7 meters/508.5 x 38.4 x 28.5 feet
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 VM-4 series reactors, 2 shafts, 52,000 shp, 24 knots
Crew: 130
Sonar: MGK-500 series Skat-2/Shark Gill LF active/passive suite with towed array in some
Armament: 16 RSM-50/SS-N-18 Stingray SLBM, 4 21 inch torpedo tubes (12 torpedoes and/or RPK-6/SS-N-16 Vodopod/Stallion ASROC), 2 15.8 inch torpedo tubes (4 SET-73 torpedoes)

Concept/Program: An upgraded version of the 'Delta-II' design, with longer-range SLBMs. This class is now declining in numbers and is scheduled to be discarded under strategic arms limitation treaties.

Classification: Raketnyy Podvodnyy Strategicheskogo Nazhacheniya (RPKSN); Strategic Missile Cruiser.

Builders: Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk.

Disposals/Reserve: K-441 and K-424 stricken 1996, K-129 stricken 1995, K-433 gutted for probable conversion to a "research" (special operations) or DSRV transport submarine, but there is no evidence that this work has been carried out. 6 of the 11 units listed below are also stricken or unservicable, specific identities not known.

Number / Name / Year / FLT / Homeport / Notes
K-449 / 1976 / PAC
K-455 / 1977 / PAC
K-490 / 1977 / PAC
K-487 / 1977 / NOR
K-44 / 1978 / NOR
K-496 / 1979 / NOR
K-506 / 1979 / PAC
K-211 / 1980 / PAC
K-223 / 1981 / PAC
K-180 / 1981 / PAC
K-433 / Svyatoy Giorgiy Pobedonosets / 1982 / PAC

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Discarded Classes: All 'Delta-II' class out of service by the end of 1996; all 'Delta-I' stricken by 1998, all 'Yankee' discarded or converted by the end of 1993; last 'Hotel' decommissioned 1991, last 'Golf' decommissioned 1990.

Guided Missile Submarines

Krasnodar ('Oscar-II') class (8+2 ships)
(Project 949A, Antey-II)

Displacement: 19,400 tons submerged
Dimensions: 155 x 18.2 x 9.2 meters/508.5 x 59.7 x 30.2 feet
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 OK-650B reactors, 2 shafts, 98,000 shp, 32 knots
Crew: 107
Sonar: MGK-500 series Skat-2/Shark Gill LF active/passive suite with towed array
Armament: 24 P-700/SS-N-19 Granit/Shipwreck SSM, 4 21 inch torpedo tubes and 4 25.6 inch torpedo tubes (24 Type torpedoes and/or RPK-7/SS-N-16 Veter/Stallion ASROC)

Concept/Program: Very large guided-missile submarines; an enlarged version of the 'Oscar-I' design. Intended for strikes against US surface forces, especially carriers. The Pacific Fleet units of this class remain relatively active and routinely deploy. Kursk (K-141) was lost in the Barents Sea on 12 August 2000; salvaged 8 October 2001. There is at least one incomplete boat of this class still in existence.

Classification: Atomnie Podvodnie Kreysery 1 Ranga (APKR); 1st Class Nuclear Powered Submarine Cruiser.

Builders: Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk.

Number / Name / Year / FLT / Homeport / Notes
K-148 / Orenburg / 1986 / NOR
K-132 / Irkutsk / 1987 / PAC / Reserve
K-119 / Voronezh / 1988 / PAC
K-173 / Krasnoyarsk / 1988 / PAC / Reserve
K-410 / Smolensk / 1990 / NOR
K-442 / Chelyabinsk / 1990 / PAC
K-456 / Vilyuchinsk / 1991 / PAC
K-266 / Orel / 1992 / NOR
K-186 / Omsk / 1993 / PAC
K-526 / Tomsk / 1997 / PAC

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Reserve Classes: The two 'Oscar-I' class SSGNs were stricken in 1997.

Discarded Classes: The three 'Yankee Notch' SSGNs (converted SSBNs) were laid up by the end of 1997. The single 'Papa' was discarded in 1991; all 'Charlie-II' class were discarded by 1996 (one retained in reserve commission for possible trials use); last 'Charlie-I' class discarded 1992-1994; the last 'Echo-II' class were discarded 1993-1995. The last 'Juliett' class SSGs were discarded in 1993.

Attack Submarines

Severodvinsk class nuclear powered attack submarines (0+1 ship)
(Project 885)

Displacement: 11,800 tons submerged
Dimensions: 111 x 12 x 8.4 meters/364.2 x 39.4 x 27.6 feet
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 1 reactor (OK-650B?), 1 shaft, 43,000 shp, 31 knots
Crew: 50
Sonar: Irtysh-Amfora suite
Armament: 8 VLS tubes for cruise missiles, 4 25.6 inch torpedo tubes (24 torpedoes, mines, RKP-55/SS-N-21 Granat/Sampson strategic cruise missiles, RPK-7/SS-N-16 Veter/Stallion ASROC)

Concept/Program: A completely new SSN design, with significant cruise missile capability. Up to seven are planned, but construction of the lead unit has stopped due to finanacial problems, and it is doubtful that any will be completed in the forseeable future. Construction of the lead unit began in 1993; little progress was made before work stopped in 1996.

Classification: Podvodnaya Lodka Atomnaya (PLA); Nuclear Powered Submarine.

Builders: Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk.

Name / Year / FLT / Homeport / Notes
Severodvinsk / Suspended

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'Akula'/'Akula-II' class nuclear powered attack submarines (10+6 ships)
(Project 971/971U, Shchuka-B)

Displacement: 10,700 (Akula-II: 12,390) tons submerged
Dimensions: 110.3 x 13.6 x 9.68 meters/361.9 x 44.6x 31.7 feet
(Akula-II: 114.3 meters/375 feet long)
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 1 OK-650B reactor, 1 shaft, 47,600 shp, 33 knots
Crew: 73 (Akula-II: 50)
Sonar: Skat-KS suite with MGK-500 Shark Gill LF active/passive, passive arrays, towed array
Armament: 4 25.6 inch torpedo tubes, 4 21 inch torpedo tubes (SAET-60M, Type 65-76, Type 53-65K torpedoes, RKP-55/SS-N-21 Granat/Sampson strategic cruise missiles, RPK-6/RPK-7/SS-N-16 Vodopod/Veter/Stallion ASROC); later units also: 6 21 inch external torpedo tubes, 1 Strela SAM position

Concept/Program: Was a new-design submarine, the steel-hulled contemporary to the titanium 'Sierra' class, but with a primary role of strategic strike using SS-N-21 cruise missiles. Are used as general-purpose attack submarines, and must be considered the best Russian SSNs in service - but still lag behind USN subs. There have been two upgrades: 'Improved Akula' and 'Akula-II'. Improvements included better silencing and improved automation. There is some disagreement as to which units are 'Improved Akula' vs. 'Akuka-II'.

Classification: Podvodnaya Lodka Atomnaya (PLA); Nuclear Powered Submarine.

Builders: Zavod imeni Leninskiy Komsomol, Komsolol'sk-na-Amur; Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk.

Disposals/Reserve: K-284 (lead unit) laid up in 1995 pending refuelling; probably will not return to service. K-322 (Kashalot) also laid up and unlikely to return to service.

Number / Name / Year / FLT / Homeport / Notes
K-263 / Del'fin / 1985 / PAC
K-391 / Bratsk / 1987 / PAC
K-331 / Narval / 1988 / PAC
K-480 / Ak Bars / 1989 / NOR
K-317 / Pantera / 1990 / NOR
K-461 / Volk / 1992 / NOR
K-419 / Morzh / 1992 / PAC / Improved Akula
K-328 / Leopard / 1993 / NOR / Improved Akula
K-157 / Tigr / 1994 / NOR / Improved Akula
K-267 / Samara / Laid Up Pending Commissioning / Improved Akula
K-??? / Nerpa / Suspended / Improved Akula
K-??? / Vepr / 1995 / NOR / Akula-II
K-??? / Gepard / 2001 / Akula-II
K-??? / Kuguar / Construction Suspended / Akula-II
K-?? / Kaban / Construction Suspended / Akula-II
K-??? / Rys / Construction Suspended / Akula-II

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Nizhniy Novgorod ('Sierra-II') class nuclear powered attack submarines (2 ships)
(Project 945A)

Displacement: 10,400 tons submerged
Dimensions: 110.5 x 12.3 x 9.5 meters/362.5 x 40.4 x 31.2 feet
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 1 OK-650 reactor, 1 shaft, 50,000 shp, 33.6 knots
Crew: 61
Sonar: Skat suite with MGK-503 Shark Gill LF active/passive, towed array
Armament: 4 25.6 inch torpedo tubes, 4 21 inch torpedo tubes (40 SAET-60M, Type 65-76, Type 53-65K torpedoes, RKP-55/SS-N-21 Granat/Sampson strategic cruise missiles, RPK-6/RPK-7/SS-N-16 Vodopod/Veter/Stallion ASROC), 1 Strela SAM position

Concept/Program: A somewhat enlarged, improved version of the 'Sierra-I' class; titanium hulled. Construction halted in favor of the 'Akula' class.

Classification: Podvodnaya Lodka Atomnaya (PLA); Nuclear Powered Submarine.

Builders: Krasnoye Sormovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod (Gorkiy), completed at Sevmashpredpriyatiye, Severodvinshk.

Disposals/Reserve: Third unit cancelled prior to completetion.

Number / Name / Year / FLT / Homeport / Notes
K-534 / Nizhniy Novogorod / 1990 / NOR
K-336 / Pskov / 1993 / NOR

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Krab ('Sierra-I' class) nuclear powered attack submarine (1 ship)
(Project 945)

Displacement: 10,100 tons submerged
Dimensions: 105.5 x 12.3 x 9.5 meters/346.1 x 40.4 x 31.2 feet
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 1 OK-650 reactor, 1 shaft, 50,000 shp, 33.6 knots
Crew: 61
Sonar: Skat suite with MGK-503 Shark Gill LF active/passive, towed array
Armament: 4 25.6 inch torpedo tubes, 4 21 inch torpedo tubes (40 SAET-60M, Type 65-76, Type 53-65K torpedoes, RKP-55/SS-N-21 Granat/Sampson strategic cruise missiles, RPK-6/RPK-7/SS-N-16 Vodopod/Veter/Stallion ASROC), 1 Strela SAM position

Concept/Program: Relatively modern titanium-hulled SSN. Production halted in favor of 'Sierra-II'.