Russia is preparing to begin construction on its new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines. The new Laika-class attack submarine is Russia’s first brand new nuclear attack submarine in almost 50 years, however, it is currently unknown when Russian forces will receive the new submarine or how many submarines will be built.
The Russian military operates one of the largest submarine fleets in the world, including both nuclear and conventional attack submarines, ballistic missile submarines, guided-missile submarines, and more. Although as large and powerful the Russian submarine fleet may be, the Russians are heavily lacking in modern submarines, considering most of Russia’s nuclear-powered attack submarines were built by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
The Laika class submarine is expected to replace the Akula and Victor submarine classes. The new submarine class is expected to bring Russia’s underwater attack capabilities up to par with western standards.
Developed by the Malachite Design Bureau in St. Petersburg, the Laika class submarine will displace 11,340 tons, making them much larger than the United States Navy’s Virginia class submarine at 8,700 tons, according to Popularmechanics.com. The Laika will likely have a top speed of 35 knots and a maximum dive capability of approximately 1,700 feet.
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