Russia Returning Akula SSBNs To Service

Strategy Page reports that Russia has reversed its decision to retire its remaining Akula-class ballistic missile submarines because of delays in bringing the new Borei class of ballistic missile submarines into service.

June 10, 2010: Russia has changed its mind about retiring its Akula ("Typhoon" in the West) SSBNs (nuclear powered ballistic missile subs). Six of these 24,000 ton "boomers" (missile subs) were built in the 1980s, and three have already been scrapped. The others were to be retired because they were so expensive to operate. These boats were the largest submarines ever built and each carried twenty of the huge (16 meters long and 2.4 meters in diameter, 90 ton) R-39 SLBNs. These missiles have all been retired from service. One of the Akulas had some of its missile silos converted to test fire the new Bulava SLBM (Sea Launched Ballistic Missile), to be used on the new Borei SSBNs. The other two Akulas were put in reserve, but now they will be returned to active service, with their silos converted to fire the smaller (12.1 meters long and two meters in diameter) Bulava SLBM. The Akulas will remain in service at least until 2019.

By: Shelldrake