Russia launches 'deadliest' nuclear submarine ever

A Yasen-M submarine. Photo: Global Look Press

The launching ceremony was held at the Sevmash shipyard in the northwestern Russian city of Severodvinsk on December 25. The ceremony comes just days after the shipyard celebrated its 80th anniversary, and according to Sevmash Deputy General Director Sergey Voronko, such an event is the best way to mark the occasion.

Footage of the launch has been made public and does not contain much information, as the new vessel remains top secret. The video only shows details of the submarine's stern and propeller, leaving many to speculate.

The new submarine, called Novosibirsk, is expected to join the Russian Navy next year and will be the first of its kind to be produced in large numbers. The first Yasen-M submarine, called Kazan, is still undergoing trials and is expected to join the Navy in 2020. Four more of the same type are under construction, and at least two more are expected to be launched next year.

Although little is known about the new submarine, it is believed to be much more advanced than its predecessor, the original Yasen-class submarine. The new vessels are capable of using all of the Russian Navy’s cruise missiles – notably the multi-purpose Kalibr and anti-ship Oniks – as well as carrying giant 533mm torpedoes.

The submarines could also carry the new Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, which can be launched from the barrels used by the Kalibr and Oniks – although there is no official confirmation of this yet. Moscow has recently been keen on using new munitions on many of its ships, and this is unlikely to apply only to surface vessels.

The launching ceremony of the Novosibirsk was not held in secret, creating a stir in the Western military media. The National Interest called the new ship a “Christmas gift from Russia to the US Navy”, and assessed it as Moscow’s “deadliest submarine ever”.

New submarine images released. Clip: RT