Top 5 nuclear ballistic missile submarines

Thanks to the current reasonable development strategy, the Russian Navy possesses a class of ballistic missile submarines that dominate the ocean.

Currently in the world, nuclear submarines equipped with ballistic missiles are one of the most difficult weapons to detect and stop, they can destroy any target in the world.

Ballistic missile submarines are one of the three components of the nuclear triad of Russia, the US, the UK, France, India (in testing) and China. They are designed and used at different levels to suit the requirements of each country such as attack, stealth, defense, reconnaissance, etc.

The magazine “Slovo and Delo” has listed the top 5 ballistic missile nuclear submarines (SSBN) equipped in the arsenals of the most developed countries in the world today.

1. Project 885 “Yasen” submarine

To date, the leader of the Yasen class is the Russian Project 885 ship “Severodvinsk”. Nicknamed the deep-sea monster, the ship has been commissioned into the Russian Navy after more than half a century of research and development.

All nuclear submarines of project 885 have a new principle of construction using low-magnetic steel, which allows the submarine to dive to a depth of 600 m (normal submarines do not exceed 300 m) and possibly more, making them invulnerable to modern anti-submarine weapons. Torpedo tubes located in the center of the stern compartment allow to place antennas of the new hydroacoustic system on the bow of the submarine.

In the central part of the ship are arranged 8 multi-purpose vertical missile launchers. They can place tactical anti-ship missiles 3M55 “Oniks” (24 missiles, 3 missiles in each launcher). In addition, this submarine can use tactical missiles Kh-35, strategic cruise missiles Kh-101 or ZM-14E complex P-900 “Klub”, which can destroy any target at a distance of 5000 km.

“After sea trials and thorough testing, the Severodvinsk has shown results that exceeded expectations. Theoretically, the ship can cause serious damage to American aircraft carriers. If all 32 Kalibr cruise missiles on board are launched, the ship can destroy the aircraft carrier” and its escort ships, military analyst Alex Leonkov told the magazine “Slovo and Delo”.

The main advantage of the submarine of the project “Yasen” is low noise level due to low-magnetic steel and special magnetic coating, which makes the ship the quietest submarine in the world. The price of “Severodvinsk” is about 47 billion rubles.

2. Nuclear submarine “Seawolf”

Taking second place is the fourth generation American “Seawolf”, which is in the same class as the Russian “Yasen” class submarine.

The ship is even made of HY 100 steel with high durability, helping the ship to maneuver faster. Regarding the propulsion system, the submarine “Seawolf” is equipped with a S6G nuclear reactor, along with two gas turbines connected to the same shaft, thanks to which the ship reaches a surface speed of 25 knots and a submerged speed of 35 knots per hour. According to Western experts, the ship has a propulsion system 7 times quieter than the first generation of the “Los Angeles” class submarine.

The Seawoolf submarine is equipped with weapons mainly for destroying surface ships and attacking coastal targets with “Tomahawk” and “Harpoon” missiles, but its mission capabilities are still far behind the Russian “Oniks”. Moreover, the American submarine is also inferior to the “Yasen” class submarines in terms of speed. Thus, in the event of a battle between these two submarines, it can be seen that the superiority is completely on the side of the Russian “Yasen” submarine.

3. Virginia-class submarine

The fourth generation submarine of the “Virginia” class is the main force of the US Navy, it is also much cheaper than the Seawolf, so it is a strategic priority and is being strongly developed. According to analyst Alex Leonkov, the main firepower of this submarine is cruise missiles, but compared to the new missiles of Russia, the cruise missiles of the US are 2.5 times worse, moreover, the class of US submarines is not equipped with as many torpedo tubes as the Russian.

The main advantage of the “Virginia” is that it differs from other submarines in that it is designed in a special modular style that allows it to carry out amphibious operations. In addition, it can deploy commandos and carry out reconnaissance missions.

4. French Navy submarine 'Triumfan'

The French SSBN “Le Triompant” class submarines differ from other submarines in that they are equipped with a high-tech generator, allowing the submarine to maintain maximum operational capabilities even in emergency situations. Furthermore, French submarines typically have a relatively high speed when submerged (about 25 knots) and a highly durable hull.

However, the equipment on the “Triumfan” is far inferior to its Russian and American counterparts. The French submarine is equipped with solid-fuel strategic ballistic missiles M45, which have technical characteristics and maneuverability far inferior to those of Russia and the United States. Currently, France is trying to upgrade its weapons with the new strategic missile M51, but the 2013 tests failed, the missile exploded when leaving the launch pad.

5. Project 094 “Jin” submarine of the Chinese Navy

The Chinese submarine of the project “Jin” was created in the 90s with significant technological support from the Russian design bureau “Rubin”. Therefore, this ship reminds people of the Soviet submarine of the project 667BDRM “Dolphin”. Although they are quite similar, China has succeeded in upgrading it, especially in reducing noise.

The Type 094 nuclear submarine can carry 12 JL-2 ballistic missiles with very long range. These missiles are the underwater version of China's latest land-based strategic missile. Russian experts believe that JL-2 is a separate development for submarines.

However, compared with the Russian submarine "Yasen" they are absolutely no match.

Thus, it can be seen that Russian nuclear submarines, thanks to being equipped with the most modern technical equipment, firepower systems, stealth..., have superior features compared to submarines of other countries. In the event of a combat mission or conflict, their capabilities far exceed the combat capabilities of American, French and Chinese submarines.

According to Baodatviet