The
Borei class is a forth-generation ballistic missile submarine
Entered service 2012
Crew 130 men
Diving depth (operational) 380 m
Diving depth (maximum) 400 - 450 m
Sea endurance 90 - 100 days
Dimensions and displacement
Length 160 m
Beam 13.5 m
Draught 10 m
Surfaced displacement 14 720 tons
Submerged displacement 24 000 tons
Propulsion and speed
Surfaced speed 15 knots
Submerged speed 26 - 29 knots
Propulsion nuclear reactor and pump jet propulsion
Armament
Missiles 16 x Bulava SLBMs
Torpedoes 6 x 533-mm torpedo tubes
The Project 955, or Borei class, is a forth-generation nuclear-powered missile submarine. The Borei class will replace ageing Russian Delta III,
Delta IV and
Typhoon classballistic missile submarines and will form a core of Russian naval deterrent.
First of the class, the
Yury Dolgoruky was laid down in 1996. Production of the vessel suffered severe delays due to funding problems. It was launched only in 2007. It is the first Russian strategic missile submarine to be launched since the Soviet era. It is also considered a milestone in the development of the Russian navy.
Russian Navy plans to operate a total of eight Borei class ballistic missile submarines by 2020.
The Borei class submarine carries Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, which is a naval version of the SS-27 Topol-M. The
Yury Dolgoruky will carry 16 of these missiles. It is worth mentioning that there development of Bulava SLBM was plagued by setbacks, as there were numerous failures during Bulava test launches. The Bulava (NATO Designation SS-N-30) ballistic missile has a range of 8 000 km. This submarine was expected do be commissioned in 2009, however as of early 2009 it was not fitted with missiles.
The forth submarine of the class is built to Project 955A standard. These boats will have numerous improvements and might have different hull shape. Improved boats will carry 20 ballistic missiles. Borei has about half the displacement of the Typhoon class, however will carry a similar number of missiles.
This forth-generation nuclear missile submarine is less detectable to sonar than it's predecessors. Other advancements include a pump jet propulsion. It is worth mentioning that the Borei class is the first Russian submarine with such propulsion system.