29.09.2011
Text:
Photo: Project 941
Akula submarine.
The START-3 was signed by Russia and the US in spring 2010. The document limits number of deployed nuclear weapons at the level of 1,550 warheads for each party. Up to 1,100 warheads can be placed on already built
Borei-class submarines (SSBN
Yury Dolgoruky passes trials, SSBN
Alexander Nevsky was launched late in 2010) and Project 667BDRM
Delfin submarines. The rest 400 warheads will be at disposal of long-range aviation and Strategic Missile Force.
Another reason for decommission of
Akulas is adoption of
Borei-class subs coming late in 2011. New submarines need a crew 1.5 times smaller than Project 941 subs do. Besides, maintenance of
Boreis is significantly cheaper. Another advantage of Project 955 subs is smaller size which makes their detection harder.
However, written-off submarines could be used for non-strategic needs; for instance, carry cruise missiles or other conventional arms, conduct scientific researches or cargo transportations. Experts of JSC
Sevmash which built Project 941
Akula say those subs can be refitted into underwater LNG tankers or cargo carriers used in any season. Nonetheless, defense ministry has no plans for
Akula conversion saying refitting works would cost tens of billions.
Akula-class submarines were built in the USSR since 1976 till 1989. Each of them is equipped with 20 tubes for R-39 and R-39U ballistic missiles. In total, each submarine may carry up to 200 warheads. Presently, Russian Navy operates three
Akula-class submarines – SSBN
Dmitry Donskoy used as test platform for new ballistic missile
Bulava, SSBN
Arkhangelsk, and SSBN
Severstal (two latter ones are in reserve).
Earlier on,
Rubin design bureau which is
Akula developer offered to use Project 941 subs for transportation of commercial cargoes including oil or coal. However, the bureau renounced that idea later having affirmed it was inexpedient. JSC
Norilsk Nickel was involved in the under-ice coal transportation project.
