One of the most important naval construction programs of the Russian Navy, as well as for modernizing Russia’s deterrent capabilities, is the incorporation of new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines of the Borei-A class into the Northern and Pacific Fleets. One of the latest reports indicates that the fifth unit of the class has returned to the port of Severodvinsk after completing new navigation and systems tests.
Intended to replace the Delta III, IV, and Typhoon submarines built during the Soviet era, the Borei and Borei-A classes (designated Project 955 and 955A) are the most modern nuclear-powered ballistic submarines in service with the Russian Navy. To date, a total of three Borei (K-535 Yury Dolgorukiy, K-550 Alexander Nevsky, and K-551 Vladimir Monomakh) and four Borei-A (Knyaz Vladimir, Knyaz Oleg, Generalissimus Suvorov, and Imperator Aleksandr III) have entered service with the Northern and Pacific Fleets.
Earlier this year, the Russian Navy and the Sevmash shipyard celebrated the launching of the fifth unit of the Borei-A class. Named K-555 Knyaz Pozharskiy, it is destined to be incorporated into the Northern Fleet in the future. It is important to note that the third and fourth units of the class, Generalissimus Suvorov and Imperator Aleksandr III, were incorporated into the Pacific Fleet during the current year.
As for Knyaz Pozharskiy, or Prince Pozharskiy, its construction began in 2016 at the Sevmash shipyards. Since it was launched in February, the nuclear-powered submarine has been undergoing navigation and immersion tests in various locations in the North Sea.
Additionally, it is noteworthy that during the most recent tests, these coincided with missile launch tests conducted by the Armed Forces of Russia, simulating a response to a massive nuclear attack against the territory of the Russian Federation, including the firing of missiles from mobile ground launchers and submarines.
Finally, with the testing of Knyaz Pozharskiy, the shipyards are advancing in the construction of additional units of the Borei-A class. Reports indicate that two more submarines are in various stages of construction and completion, Dmitry Donskoy (scheduled to be launched in 2025) and Knyaz Potemkin, while the Russian Navy plans to begin the construction of two additional units, without official designation.
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