Russian Navy acquires world’s largest nuclear-armed submarine

Europe, News July 9, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The Russian navy has started experimental operations for the K-329 Belgorod special purpose submarine capable of carrying six Poseidon intercontinental nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed autonomous torpedoes.

Belgorod is an Oscar II-class submarine built by Russia’s largest shipbuilding enterprise, Sevmash. For more than four decades, the record for the world’s longest submarine was held by the Soviet-era Typhoon-class submarines with a length of 505 feet or 153 meters. However, Belgorod has dethroned the Typhoon-class submarines from the title, as the highly modified variant for the Oscar II-class submarines stands at an impressive 604 feet or 184 meters in length.

The construction of the Belgorod submarine began in 2019. According to the official statement released by Sevmash, the Belgorod is a ‘research’ submarine that would carry out its experimental operations with the Northern Fleet of the Russian navy before being commissioned to serve in the Pacific Fleet.

Very limited information has been released about the capabilities of the submarine so far, however, it is the experts believe that the Belgorod submarine has a displacement is 14,700 tonnes on the surface and 24,000 tonnes submerged. With a surface top speed of 32 knots or 59 km/h. The Belgorod submarine is armed with six strategic nuclear torpedoes, the Poseidon drones, each of which is the size of a school bus. The submarine can also integrate a smaller submarine, Project 10831 Losharik, under its keel to perform deep-sea diving and rescue operations.

Russia's Project 09852 Special Mission Submarine Belgorod. — *^{Russia’s Project 09852 Special Mission Submarine Belgorod. (Image Credit: Twitter/@CovertShores)}*

This is not the first time that the Russian navy has used this approach to attach a midget submarine with its large-scale special-purpose submarine in order to make it undetectable and more maneuverable, as many of the small-scale and deep-diving operations are held by the smaller submarines.

The armament of the Belgorod nuclear submarine is standard for an Oscar II-class, which includes torpedoes, cruise missiles, and mines. However, heavy modifications have been made to the Belgorod to make it capable of carrying six Poseidon nuclear-tipped unmanned underwater autonomous vehicle that acts as attack torpedo.

With 24 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter, Poseidon is the largest nuclear torpedo in the world. It can travel underwater at a remarkable speed of 70 knots or 130 km/h. It can also operate at least 1 kilometer under sea level and travel thousands. It carried a 2 megatons nuclear warhead which can wreak havoc upon attack.

During the acquisition ceremony on July 8, the Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, said that “This is a significant day for us as advanced achievements of science and the latest construction technologies were applied.”

Admiral Nikolai Evmenov further stated that “the submarine Belgorod opens up new opportunities for Russia in conducting various studies, allows conducting diverse scientific expeditions and rescue operations in the most remote areas of the World Ocean.”

So far, no public statement has been made by the Russian on where Belgorod will be based for the period it will be in experimental operation with the Northern Fleet and when the submarine would be commissioned into the Russian navy for deployment after completing the experimental operations.

Specifications:

Length:	184 meters (604 feet)
Displacement (Surface):	14,700 tonnes
Displacement (Submerged):	24,000 tonnes
Beam:	15 meters (49 feet)
Top speed:	32 knots or 59 km/h
Endurance:	120 days
Weapons:	6 strategic nuclear torpedoes, cruise missiles, mines, smaller submarines