Russian Navy – Submarines

Drydock Severodvinsk 2018
Sevmash Shipyards, Severodvinsk, with screening panels, showing a Typhoon Class SSBN, likely TK-208 Dmitriy Donskoy, undergoing work.

Russian Navy / Soviet Navy Submarines 19 submarine classes documented with 49 captures.

Ballistic Missile Nuclear-powered Submarines (SSBN)

Typhoon Class / Project 941 Akula SSBN (1 active, 2 in reserve, 3 scrapped) World’s largest submarines LOA 574′ TDISP 47,000 tons submerged

DN-SN-86-00733
Typhoon class SSBN 1985 NARA: 330-CFD-DN-SN-86-00733
Typhoon_class_submarine
US Government, released 2012 by the National Reconnaissance Office / Public domain
Typhoon TK208 Severodvinsk 2019
Same view as above, almost 37 years later, with the last active Typhoon, Dmitry Donskoy TK-208.
Typhoons -4- at Zapadnaya Litsa 2003
Four Typhoon class SSBNs, all located at Zapadnaya Litsa in 2003. Most of these would later be located at Severodvinsk.

TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy (1981) In active service with Northern Fleet, upgradedTyphoon TK208 Murmansk 2018Typhoon TK208 Sevmash 2018

Typhoon class at sea, ca. 2006. Courtesy of the Bellona Foundation.

TK-17 Arkhangelsk (1987) and TK-18 Severstal (1989) Both in reserve since 2006Typhoons TK17 and TK18 Sevmash 2019.jpgTK-202 (1983) Scrapped at Severodvinsk 2002-2005 with US financial aid

TK-202_Russian_Typhoon-class_submarine
TK-202 before dismantling at SEVMASH, Severomorsk dismantlement under the Cooperative Threat Reduction program implemented by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. (DTRA photo)

Typhoon TK-202 Scrap Sevmash 2003.jpg

The waterline view of the fictional Red October of Tom Clancy’s novel, distinguishable by the teardrop shaped towed sonar housing on the rudder. The Red October is described in the book as being 44′ longer and about 8′ wider than a standard typhoon, with 6 more missile tubes forward of the sail, and, of course, the caterpillar drive ports at bow and stern! Warsearcher Collection.

Delta III and IV Classes / Project 667BDR Kalmar and Project 667BDRM Delfin SSBN LOA 520′ TDISP 18,200 tons submerged (21, approx.7 active)

DN-SC-96-00524
Delta IV class submarine 1994 NARA: 330-CFD-DN-SC-96-00524

Delta SSBN Olenya Guba 2019

N1401-SCN-S94-011
Delta III class based at Northern Fleet 1997 NARA: 330-CFD-DN-SC-97-00214

Delta SSBN Bolshoy Kamen 2019

DN-SN-96-00405
Delta III submarine 1994 NARA: 330-CFD-DN-SN-96-00405

Delta SSBN Murmansk 2020

Podmoskovye BS-64 / Project 09787 Special Mission Submarine modified Delta IV Class (1986, modified 2016 – lengthened) new LOA 571′ – science vessel with the ability to berth deep submergence submarines like the Losharik (see bottom of listing for this submersible).Podmoskovye BS-64 Severodvinsk 2019Borei Class / Project 955 SSBN LOA 557′ TDISP 24,000 tons submerged (4-3 active) Borei II class /Project 955A variant has a more streamlined missile compartment, different rudder fins, and a sail that does not project forwards at the top.

Knyaz Vladimir K-549 (2019) – Borei II, sea trials

Knyaz Vladimir Borei Class SSBN Severodvinsk 2018
View of boat fitting out shows all 8 missile tubes on starboard side open.

Knyaz Oleg (2020) Borei II. Launched from SEVMASH shipyards, Severodvinsk in July 2020.Knyaz Oleg Borie II class SSBN Severodvinsk 2020

Yuriy Dolgorukiy K-535 (2013)

Borei Class Yury Dolgorev
Borei Class K-535 Yuriy Dolgorukiy, at time of commissioning in 2013. Credit: Mil.ru / CC BY

Yuriy Dolgorukiy Borei class Gadzhiyevo 2018Alexander Nevsky K-550 (2013)Alexander Nevsky K-550 Vilyuchinsk 2018

Yankee Class / Project 667A  SSBN LOA 433′ – 520′ (several variants) TDISP 9,400 tons submerged (34, 1, K-219, lost, rest retired and scrapped)

DN-ST-87-00760
K-219 on the surface after having been damaged by a missile propellant fire October 1986, before it sank NARA: 330-CFD-DN-ST-87-00760

K-403 Kazan “Big Nose” – Project 09780 Akson-2 – (1971 – ca. 2008) LOA ca. 505′ one of last Yankees, experimental boat for trials of new Irtysh sonar, dismantled 2010 at Severodvinsk.

BCA282A7-EA96-4133-A1A0-26D870DBC921
K-403 Kazan ca. 1996-2000. Credit: АО «Центр судоремонта „Звёздочка“», Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Yankee Class big nose Severodvinsk 2004
Identification of K-403 based on wikipedia article on Yankee Class, which lists this boat as dismantled in the nearby drydock, in 2010. This boat was in multiple Severodvinsk captures 2004-2010.

Cruise Missile Nuclear-powered (SSGN) and conventionally-powered (SSG) submarines

Oscar II Class / Project 949A SSGN LOA 508′ maximum TDISP 19,400 tons submerged (12 built: 8 active, 1 fitting out as special mission variant, 2 scrapped, 1 lost)

DN-SN-96-00408
Oscar II class submarine, showing the distinctive wide body, 1994 NARA: 330-CFD-DN-SN-96-00408

Oscar II Pacific Fleet 2018 testOscar II Vilyuchinsk 2020Oscar II Vilyuchinsk 2018Belgorod K-329 (launched 2019, projected to enter service 2020) Project 09852 Heavily modified research “science” submarine derived from an uncompleted Oscar II Class – World’s longest submarine LOA ca. 580′ TDISP unknown, likely around 24,000 tons submerged (identification from HI Sutton’s site Covert Shores).

Belgorod Sevmash 2019
According to HI Sutton’s website, this is Belgorod, the modified Oscar II class sub that has raised a lot of attention. It does appear consistent – a lengthened Oscar II hull with the cruise missile compartments removed, giving the hull a much narrower look. The sail is about the right size and the rudder like other Oscar boats. Oscars have more length below the water aft for the propellers than a Typhoon class, making a length of 580′ possible (indicated in yellow). The identification is mostly a case of elimination – it is clearly not a Typhoon and no other submarine (in the World) is this length

Oscar I class / Project 949 SSGN LOA 469′ TDISP 16,500 tons submerged (2, both scrapped)

K-206 Murmansk (1983) and K-525 (1980) Arkhangelsk, both scrapped 2004-2011 Severodvinsk, with British financial assistance.Oscar I scrapping Severodvinsk 2003Oscar I scrapping Severodvinsk 2004

Juliett Class / Project 651 SSG LOA 298′ TDISP 4,100 tons submerged (16, all retired, 1 preserved)

K-24 (1965 – 1994) museum boat Peenemünde, Germany, U-boat Museum as “U-461”K-24 Juliett Class Peenemünde 2018K-24 Juliett Class Peenemünde 2015K-77 (1965 – 1992) – museum submarine Providence RI, USA, used as “K-19” in the movie Widowmaker, starring Harrison Ford, in Halifax NS. Purchased by Saratoga Museum and towed to Collier Point Park, displayed 2002-2007 . Sank 2007 at its moorings and was scrapped by 2009 after US navy divers raised most of the deteriorated sub.K-77 Providence 2003.jpgK-77 Providence 2009.jpg

K-77 Providence 2010
Capture is annotated to highlight location of the K-77 during scrapping
K-77 Providence 2018
Capture is annotated to highlight location of the K-77 during scrapping

Attack Submarines (SSN) Nuclear powered and (SS) conventional

Akula Class / Project 971 Shchuka-B SSN LOA 362-372′ TDISP 8,100 – 13,500 tons submerged (15 built over several variants, about 10 in service or refitting)SSNs Severodvinsk 2019Akula class SSN Vilyuchinsk 2018

Kilo Class / Project 877 Paltus SS LOA 230 – 242′ TDISP 3,000 – 3,900 tons submerged (70 built, about 60 still in service with many navies)

Kilo class SS Polyarny 2018

ORP Orzel 291 (1986) As of 2020 this may be the oldest Kilo in service.

ORP_Orzeł_291_2012_2_maja_Oksywie
ORP Orzel at her regular berth in Gdynia Dockyards, ca. 2012. Credit: Pomuchelskopp, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

ORP Orzeł Kilo class Gdynia poland 2011

Tango Class / Project 641B SOM SS LOA 299′ TDISP 3,800 tons submerged (18, all retired, 3 preserved)

B-307 (1980 – 2001) Toyiatti Museum, Samara

B-307 Tango class Samara 2018
Note torpedo positioned half in one of the bow tubes.

B-396 (1980 – 2003) Moscow Naval MuseumB-396 Tango class Moscow 2019B-515 (1976 – 2002) preserved in Hamburg U-boat museumB-515 Tango class Hamburg 2015

Foxtrot Class / Project 641 SS LOA 299′ TDISP 4,500 tons submerged (74, 7 preserved, 1 lost)

B-427 Scorpion (1971) – was a museum submarine beside the RMS Queen Mary, 1998-ca. 2012, but will now likely be scrappedB-427 Soviet Foxtrot Long Beach CA 2016.jpgB-39 (1967) museum submarine since 2005 at San Diego CAB-39 Soviet Foxtrot San Diego CA 2011B-49 (1967) waiting for restoration near Strood on Medway River, UK, since 2003B-49 Soviet Foxtrot Strood UK 2003.jpgB-413 (1968-1999) Museum boat at Museum of the World’s Oceans, KaliningradB-413 Foxtrot Kaliningrad 2018B-440 (1970-1998) B-440 Museum boat, on display in Vytegra.B-440 Foxtrot Vytegra 2013B-821 (1965-1995) Museum boat at Zeebrugge, Belgium, scrapped in 2019B-821 Foxtrot Zeebrugge 2016Foxtrot class scrap ghent 2019

INS Kursura S-20 (1969-2001) Variant of Foxtrot design for Indian Navy. Museum boat.INS Kursura Foxtrot Visakhapatnam 2019

Zulu Class / Project 611 SS LOA 295′ TDISP 2,400 tons submerged (26 built, 1 known to still exist) 6 boats modified to take missiles (5 of which are called Zulu V boats)

Zulu Amsterdam 1 20190919_103812
The B-80 as it existed in 2019. Photo courtesy of Tom Smyth.

B-80_Soviet_submarine_Amsterdam
B-80 Zulu Class boat, Amsterdam, 2008. Courtesy Anrie [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
B-80 (1957 – 1990) sold to Dutch entrepreneurs, to Den Helder where it was briefly a floating bar, then to Amsterdam, several efforts to convert or preserve it failed.Zulu Class SS B-80 Amsterdam 2018

Romeo Class SS LOA 251′ TDISP 1,800 tons submerged (133 built)

Romeo_class SS
Romeo class profile, Credit: Mike1979 Russia / CC BY-SA

Slava 84 (transferred to Bulgarian Navy, service 1986-2011)

Slava SS Varna 2008

Romeo SS Varna 2008
This shows both Slava 84 and Nadezhda 83, the boat that was cannibalized to keep Slava semi-operational.

Whiskey Class/ Project 613B SS LOA 249′ TDISP 1,300 submerged (236 built-21 in China, 2 preserved)

DN-SN-84-01499
Whiskey Class patrol submarine, 1983 NARA: 330-CFD-DN-SN-84-01499

Ex-S-290 transferred to Indonesia as KRI Pasopati (1952 – 1994) museum boat since 1998, Surabaya.KRI Pasopati Surabaya 2018S-189 (1954-1990) Museum boat Saint PetersburgS-189 Whiskey Saint Petersburg 2019

Rrufeja 514 (1956-1995) originally Soviet S-360, one of 4 boats ceded to Albania. Museum boat, Pasha Liman naval base.Whiskey class SS Pasha Liman albania 2021

Quebec Class Coastal submarine LOA 184′ TDISP 540 tons submerged (30 built, 2 preserved)

Submarine_M-296_2016_G1
M-296 (also called M-305) on display in Odessa, Ukraine Credit: George Chernilevsky / Public domain

M-296 also called M-305 on display as a memorial in Odessa, Ukraine (dates of service not known)M-296 Quebec Odessa 2018M-261 (1955) Weapons of Victory Museum, KrasnodorM-261 Quebec Class Krasnodor 2011

K-Class SS LOA 320′ TDISP 2,600 submerged (12, 5 sunk during Second World War, 1 preserved)

K-21 (1941 – 1959) training boat ca. 1960 – 1980, Memorial boat in Severomorsk since 1983K-21 submarine severomorsk 2019

S-Class “Stalinets” attack submarines LOA 255′ TDISP Submerged 1,050 tons (56 built, several war losses, some boats transferred post-war to People’s Liberation Army Navy (China)

S-56 (1941-1955) Museum boat, Vladivostok.S-56 attack boat museum Vladivostok 2018

Dekabrist class LOA 249′ TDISP 1,300 tons submerged (6 built, 4 lost, 1 preserved)

D-2_Narodovolets
D-2 Narodovolets on display in Saint Petersburg DL24 / Public domain

D-2 Narodovolyets (1931-1987) 1956-87 Training ship in Kronstadt. Museum / memorial boat near Saint Petersburg, since 1994D-2 Narodovolets Leningrad 2019

Deep Submergence nuclear powered submarine

Losharik unique deep diving nuclear-powered submarine (2003) LOA 240′ TDISP 2,100 tons submerged. For special missions, can be fitted to both Podmoskovye and Belgorod submarines (see above). This boat was extensively damaged and 14 crew members killed 1 July 2019, reportedly in Ura Bay. It appears to have been operating near a mothership at the time.

Losharik Sevmash 2019

Continue to Russian / Soviet Navy Aircraft Carriers