Russia commences building on 13,800-ton nuclear submarine that can carry hypersonic firepower
building of a new multipurpose nuclear-powered submarine, Murmansk, in another move for expansion of its upgraded Project 885M Yasen-M fleet. Murmansk is the ninth submarine of the modernised Yasen-M class, a line of nuclear-powered attack submarines designed for long-range strike, anti-ship warfare, and deep-sea operations.
The development comes as Moscow continues to strengthen its undersea fleet amid growing emphasis on nuclear-powered platforms capable of carrying advanced cruise and hypersonic missiles. According to Mil. Press, four Project 885M submarines are currently in service with the Russian Navy.
Perm, the fifth submarine of the class, which is undergoing trials and is expected to enter service by the end of 2026. It is also expected to become the first Yasen-M submarine equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles, adding a new strike capability to the class.
Another submarine, Ulyanovsk, laid down in July 2017, is being prepared for launch. Two more Yasen-M submarines, Voronezh and Vladivostok, remain under construction and are reportedly at earlier stages of completion.
The Yasen-M design is a modernised version of the original Project 885 Yasen class, of which only the lead submarine, Severodvinsk, was built. Built for long-range strike missions The Project 885M Yasen-M submarines are 426 feet (130 meters) long and 42.6 feet (13 meters) wide, with a full submerged displacement of 13,800 tons.
Their propulsion system is built around a single OK650V pressurised water reactor with a thermal output of 190 MW. This allows the submarine to reach a maximum submerged speed of up to 31 knots, while its surface speed is listed at 16 knots.
The vessels are designed for extended underwater missions, with an endurance of up to 100 days. Their stated maximum diving depth is 600 meters, while their operational depth is 520 meters. Each submarine carries a 64 personnel crew. The Yasen-M class is armed with 10 SM-346 vertical launch systems.
These can carry Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and, on newer boats, Zircon hypersonic missiles. Depending on the missile loadout, the submarine can carry up to 32 Oniks or Zircon missiles, or up to 40 Kalibr cruise missiles.
Advanced sonar and quieter hull The submarine also carries 10 onboard 533 mm torpedo tubes. Unlike many older submarine designs, these tubes are located in the midship section behind the control room, because the bow section is occupied by the large Irtysh-Amphora sonar antenna.
For defensive operations, the submarine is equipped with launch systems for decoys designed to divert incoming torpedoes. Its hull is made of low magnetic steel and covered with a special rubber coating to reduce its acoustic signature.
The modernised Yasen-M design differs from the baseline Project 885 with a shorter hull, updated electronic warfare and radio-electronic systems, and what Russian sources describe as full import substitution of components.
With Murmansk now laid down and Perm nearing entry into service, Russia’s Yasen-M program is moving toward a larger fleet of nuclear-powered submarines capable of carrying both cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons.
