Russian Submarines

Russian’s became interested in developing submarines to keep up with the United States and other countries that were using them in wars and to protect their water ways. Russian submarines are known for their excellent design and capabilities. The Russian Typhoon can stay submerged for six months at a time. It also carries a huge artillery of nuclear weapons. They carry SS-N-19 missiles.

After World War II, all Russian submarines featured a double hull design. This reduces the pressure and stress on the hull. This is also beneficial if one of the hulls is damaged. Since the Russian submarines often have to conquer the Artic Ocean, the double hull works well with the Artic ice that they encounter. However, this design takes longer to create and costs considerably more. It is possible that the United States will start designing their submarines with a double hull as well.

The Russian submarines were designed for underwater attacks. They were designed to be extremely fast, yet they were very noisy. This resulted in the United States and other countries being able to track Russian submarines very easily. Around 1980 they redesigned their



submarines to remedy this issue. The Victor III was the first redesigned submarine built. After the Cold War ended, Russia retired many of its older submarines to various ports.

The biggest loss of a Russian submarine involved the Kursk. This submarine sank in the Barents Sea in 2000. It was the largest attack submarine the Russian’s built. The submarine had been in service since 1995. When it sank, the submarine was in the open waters performing a training exercise for the crew involving launching torpedoes. There was a chemical explosion on the submarine. Rescue missions were attempted by the British and Norwegian. Initially it was thought that everyone on board died quickly from the explosion. However, journal entries were found to verify some of the crew survived for several hours.

Russian submarines continue to be high powered, well equipped vessels. They definitely have the power, strength, endurance, and weapons to give the United States and other countries an underwater fight that they have a good chance of winning. Hopefully communications with Russia will continue to improve and we won’t have to face that possibility.