The newest Russian Project 955A (Borei-A) nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarines will reportedly receive an upgraded steam turbine plant, which will reduce its acoustic signature.
The improved Borei-A submarines have already been noted for improved acoustic stealth, maneuvering, and deep-sea running capabilities compared to the baseline Borei series, and they reportedly have an improved armament control system as well.
The newest boat of the class, the future Dmitry Donskoi, will resemble upgraded Project 885M (Yasen-M) multi-purpose submarines in terms of its acoustic signature, a source within Russia’s domestic defense industry told Tass on Wednesday at the International Maritime Defense Show 2023.
“The new submarine Dmitry Donskoi will differ from previous Borei-class subs by a number of technical improvements introduced by the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering, which developed Project 955A,” the source said. “In particular, innovations will be introduced into the steam turbine plant that will make the sub’s propulsion unit even more quiet.”
More Boats, and Quieter
As previously reported, the Russian Navy could sail a flotilla of at least a dozen fourth-generation Borei-class SSBNs in the coming years. Developed to replace the Cold War-era Typhoon and Delta classes, the Russian submarines are significantly smaller, both in physical size and crew number.
The improved Borei A-class submarines, which have half the displacement of the now-retired Typhoon class, can carry a similar number of missiles to their larger counterparts. Sixteen Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles will sit in vertical silos placed in two rows in four and five compartments. These are joined by eight 533mm torpedoes and six disposable non-rechargeable Barrage launchers for launching the hydroacoustic countermeasures MG-104 Brosok or MG-114 Beryl.
The Bulava is designed to carry a nuclear warhead, and these boats will form the core of the Russian nuclear triad until 2040.
The New Dmitry Donskoi
The upgraded Project 955A nuclear-powered submarine cruiser Dmitry Donskoi was laid down at the Sevmash Shipyard in Russia’s northwest on Aug. 23, 2021, and Tass reported that the contract for its construction was signed in 2020. The boat is expected to become operational in the Russian Northern Fleet, and it is set to be delivered to the Navy in late 2026.
It is the latest Russian vessel to be named for the Grand Duke of Moscow Dmitry Donskoy (1359–1389), the reputed founder of Moscow.
The most recent vessel to bear the name was the Project 941 Akula-class heavy nuclear-powered submarine originally designated TK-208. The lead vessel of the Soviet third-generation Akula-class (NATO reporting name Typhoon), she entered service in 1981 with the Soviet Navy. After a 12-year overhaul and refit that began in 1990, the vessel re-entered service in 2002 as the Dmitry Donskoi.
It was announced last year, however, that the submarine — the largest in the world — would be officially retired, years earlier than expected.
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A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
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