Mr. Putin launched Russia's most powerful submarine

Moscow hopes the fast 15,000-ton vessel can catch other ships thanks to its ability to dive to depths of about 400m. It is relatively quiet, making it difficult to detect.

Photo: Daily Star

The Borei-A-class Knyaz Vladimir can also launch 16 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) – capable of flattening cities more than 9,000km away.

According to Sputnik News, Knyaz Vladimir is a fourth-generation submarine and a product of the Rubin Central Design Bureau.

Although the US Ohio-class submarine is equipped with up to 24 ICBMs, its range is only 7,800km and it cannot dive to the same depth.

The Daily Star quoted a senior Russian defense official as saying: "The main purpose of the underwater interceptor is to protect missile submarine groups, and to fight enemy submarines. The second ship will be a cruise missile carrier used to take out surface and coastal targets."

Knyaz Vladimir is a fourth-generation submarine. (Photo: Sputnik News)

Moscow is making every effort to strengthen and modernize its military forces.

"The ability of our economy to boost military production and services at a given time is one of the most important aspects of military security. Therefore, all strategic and large-scale enterprises must be ready, regardless of who owns them," President Putin said earlier this week.

He then called on Russia's top researchers to develop better military technology than the West: "Our Army and Navy must have all the best equipment – ​​better than similar foreign forces."

“If we want to win, we have to be better,” Mr. Putin declared.

Vietnamnet