Key Points: Russia’s Borei A-class nuclear-powered submarines, including the newly commissioned Knyaz’ Pozharskiy, are at the forefront of Putin’s nuclear strategy.
-Equipped with 16 advanced Bulava SLBMs carrying up to 10 nuclear warheads each, these stealthy boomers boast a quiet propulsion system, advanced sonar, and high speed.
-The Knyaz’ Pozharskiy joins the Northern Fleet, patrolling critical areas like the Barents Sea and Arctic ice caps for deterrence missions.
-With plans for 12 Borei A-class subs by 2031, these submarines highlight Russia’s growing focus on nuclear readiness, presenting a significant challenge for U.S. naval intelligence and NATO defenses.
Russia’s Borei A-Class Subs: A New Era in Nuclear Deterrence
When it comes to the Russian military, most eyes follow the ebbs and flows of the war in Ukraine, but somewhat overlooked is the country’s nuclear triad, especially submarines that launch nuclear weapons.
One could say that the Borei A-class nuclear-equipped “boomer” subs could effortlessly carry out Vladimir Putin’s nuclear strategy. The Russian navy continues to roll out the Borei A-class, and another nuclear-powered boomer was introduced this year.
Borei A-Class Submarine: More Information About the Latest Boomer to Enter Service
The Knyaz’ Pozharskiy entered service as the fifth Borei A-class SSBN in February, and it is currently conducting sea trials. The Borei A is the most modernized version of the Borei ballistic missile submarine.
The Knyaz’ Pozharskiy was built at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. It will feature the sixteen Bulava 3M30 intercontinental submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). The Bulavas are replacing the aging Sineva SLBMs. They will have six to ten nuclear warheads attached to each SLBM.
But that’s not all. The Knyaz’ Pozharskiy can go into conventional attack mode with six 533mm launchers that can send torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets toward enemy naval forces.
Speedy and Quiet Submarine for Russia
Russian engineers are trying something new with the Knyaz’ Pozharskiy. For the first time, the nuclear propulsion system will use steam turbines to power a pump-jet thruster. This will reduce the boat’s noise signature and enable a submerged speed of 30 knots.
Russian Borei-class ballistic missile submarine.
The Borei A displaces 24,000 tons, which makes it 50 percent lighter than the older classes of boomers.
Russian state media “claimed the noise level is to be five times lower when compared to the third-generation nuclear-powered Akula-class submarines and two times lower than that of the U.S. Virginia-class submarines.”
Updated Sonar System
The Knyaz’ Pozharskiy will also have the newest Irtysh-Amfora-Borei sonar system that Russia produces. The sonar has a spherical antenna at the bow. The Knyaz’ Pozharskiy will have 107 sailors on board.
Russia builders have not halted Borei A-Class construction despite the need for land weapons in the war against Ukraine. Two more of the new class of boomers are being produced. Russia has already laid the keels for the Dmitry Donskoy and Kniazʹ Potiemkin. These will replace the aging Soviet-era Delfin Delta IV and Typhoon-class boomers. Moscow claims that twelve Borei A-class subs will be built and placed in service by 2031.
Where Will It Patrol?
Meanwhile, the newly-christened Knyaz’ Pozharskiy is expected to join the Northern Fleet after sea trials test the navigation, sonar, propulsion system, and weapons. This will take about a year and Knyaz’ Pozharskiy will likely be combat effective in late 2024 or early 2025.
Russia’s Borei-class Ballistic Missile Submarine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The Northern Fleet is critical for Putin’s nuclear strategy. Boomers assigned to this area of operations patrol the northeast Barents Sea and sneak under the Arctic ice cap. They form nuclear deterrence missions for the Northern Hemisphere.
Boomer Subs Are Part of Putin’s Nuclear Strategy
Russia’s strength in SSBN production should not be underestimated. Putin has essentially pulled out of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty. He believes that Russia should be the leader in boomer technology and ICBMs. This war-footing production is reminiscent of the Cold War nuclear arms race.
If the Knyaz’ Pozharskiy is as stealthy as advertised, it could create problems for American missile defenses. While the new boat is to be linked to the Northern Fleet and the Arctic region, that doesn’t mean it can’t move closer to American shores and launch its nuclear missiles. The Bulava SLBMs are the most modern in the Russian naval arsenal.
Americans Must Be Ready to Track the Borei A-Class
Thus, U.S. naval intelligence will have its hands full tracking the whereabouts of these Borei A-class boomers. They are a large part of the Russian nuclear-triad. They have updated numerous subs’ capabilities, including propulsion and noise cancellation.
Borei-class Submarine.
This is good news for the workers in the Russian shipbuilding industry. They have proven that modern submarine production is advancing despite a costly war in Ukraine in which the Russian army needs more tanks, armored personnel carriers, drones, and artillery pieces.
Russia can still focus on conventional land warfare and undersea nuclear muscle at the same time. It is a warning to NATO and the United States that Putin can back up his bluster when he discusses atomic warfare. It is not just tactical battlefield weapons that Russia can deploy. They can also rely on a modern sub with the latest SLBMs, which is something to brag about.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
