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| The Typhoon Class |
International Military - Russia has the largest submarine in the world today, namely the Russian Typhoon-class submarine that became a relic during the Cold War. During their construction, each of these Typhoon-class submarines was intended to play an important role in the Soviet Union's strategic doctrine and nuclear triad.
The submarine is also referred to by the official Soviet code name "Akula," which means shark in Russian. With a displacement of 48,000 tons when submerged, the Typhoon is a true giant on scale. The main task of the Typhoon is to carry 20 ballistic missiles launched from the RSM-52 submarine.
The Typhoon class is also designed to include six torpedo tubes capable of carrying torpedoes and anti-submarine missiles. The Typhoon is propelled by two nuclear water reactors and has special reinforcement on the submarine's sails and hull to penetrate the ice.
According to usni.org, the first unit, TK-208, was completed in December 1981, and began operations the following year. The class was also designed as a counter to the US Navy's Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN-726). For its design, this ship places the Typhoon missile tube in front of the ship's center sail.
Meanwhile, the twin screws are installed very far away. Internally, this massive submarine offers amenities such as a sauna, waterfall, and even an aviary.
For now, the only Typhoon left for the Russian Navy to work on is the Dmitry Donskoi, interestingly also the first class built. Russian state media reported in 2021 that Dmitry Donskoi would not be retired for at least five years.
However, this is likely a very optimistic assessment of Russia's procurement trends. As Russian state media noted in 2021, nuclear fuel in submarine reactors is likely to run out in 3 to 4 years.
According to Popular Mechanics, the Borei class will replace the Russian Navy's Typhoon and Delta class submarines. Later, the Borei-class submarines will carry 16 Bulava missiles with a total explosive yield of 7,200 kilotons. The Borei is also designed to be smaller and more space efficient than its predecessors.
Russia plans to build at least eight Borei submarines, which are divided between the Northern (Atlantic) and Pacific Fleet. At 40 years old, Dmitri Donskoy is approaching retirement age. With this, there may not be a submarine as big as Dmitry Donskoy anymore.