Analyzing Russia's Nuclear Submarine Threat
Introduction
Nuclear submarines are the leading strike force of a fleet, capable of covertly controlling the expanses of the world’s oceans and quickly deploying in the required directions. They deliver unexpected and powerful strikes from the depths of the ocean on both sea and land targets.
The main striking force of the Russian Navy is nuclear submarines armed with ballistic and cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. They are constantly in various parts of the world’s oceans, ready for immediate use of their strategic weapons. Submarines, armed with cruise missiles, are aimed mainly at combating the enemy’s large surface ships and strike on the enemy’s coastal infrastructure. Torpedo nuclear submarines are used to disrupt the enemy’s underwater and surface communications and in the defense system against the underwater threat, as well as to escort surface ships and missile submarines.
Nuclear submarines will be analyzed in this material. Since the equipment of submarines with nuclear power and nuclear missiles, powerful hydro-acoustic systems and high-precision navigation weapons along with integrated automation of control processes and the creation of optimal conditions for the life of the crew they significantly expanded their tactical properties and forms of combat use.
The following tasks, in order of importance, can be identified for the nuclear-powered submarines (NPS). It is the constant readiness for a nuclear strike, protection of its NPSs, and interception of enemy NPSs. To this end, they perform the following tasks.
Supporting the combat service of the SMS (strategic missile submarines) in the patrolling areas and during transitions.
Tracking ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and submarines carrying sea-based cruise missiles of the potential enemy’s Navy in the areas of their combat duty and at the transitions, in readiness for their destruction, in order to disrupt or weaken the nuclear missile strike on the territory of Russia.
Tracking the multi-purpose aircraft carrier group and ship strike group of the potential enemy’s Navy, in the patrolling areas, and on the transition to these areas, in readiness to strike the multi-purpose aircraft carrier group, in order to disrupt or weaken the air and/or missile attack on the territory of Russia.
Anti-submarine protection of the Russian Navy’s ship strike group in the patrolling areas and the transition to these areas.
Implementation of reconnaissance tasks through a system of bases, routes to patrol the forces of the Navy of the potential enemy, the collection of sonar information about submarines and surface ships of the potential enemy.
Combat duty in adjacent areas in territorial waters of the potential enemy in readiness to strike targets on its territory with sea-launched cruise missiles.
Currently the strategic nuclear submarines of the Russian Navy for performing the above tasks are as follows:
Nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles
Project 667BDR: These are second-generation NPSs. They are equipped with four 533mm and two 400mm torpedo launchers. There are 16 launchers for the R-29R missiles. Most of the submarines of this project are decommissioned. However, “Ryazan” is still in service in the Pacific Fleet. “St. George the Victorious” is in reserve.
Project 667BDRM: These submarines are the basis of the marine component of Russia’s strategic nuclear triad with the role gradually being transferred to Project 955 “Borei” submarines.
Submarines of the class are equipped with four 533mm torpedo launchers. There are 16 launchers for the R-29 RMU2 “Sineva” ballistic missiles. On board, there are portable anti-aircraft launchers for the 9K310 “Igla-1” / 9K38 “Igla” systems.
“Verkhoturye”, “Yekaterinburg”, “Karelia”, “Novomoskovsk”, and “Tula” are in service in the Northern Fleet;
“Bryansk”, which is also in the Northern Fleet, is undergoing scheduled maintenance.
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https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-15/analyzing-russias-nuclear-submarine-threat