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Akula class submarine

Project 971 Shchuka-B, simply known to the west as the Akula-class submarine, is a nuclear powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. The true name of the class is the Bars-class, as Akula (Russian word for “Shark”) is the Soviet designation of ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) designated by NATO as the Typhoon class submarine.

There are 3 classes of Akula, the original seven Akula I submarines built between 1986 and 1992, the three Improved Akula submarines built between 1992 and 1995, and the three Akula II submarines built between 1995 and 2001. This information is not sure to be true though, due to that the exact dates of commission and which submarines are Improved Akulas or Akula II’s is debated by authoritative sources.

Akulas incorporate a double hull system that increases the reserve buoyancy of the ship by almost three times. They are also the most silent submarine in the Russian Navy.

Akulas are armed with four 533mm torpedo tubes which can use Type 53 torpedoes or the SS-N-15 Starfish missile, and four 650mm torpedo tubes which can use Type 65 torpedoes or the SS-N-16 Stallion missile. Improved Akulas and Akula II’s have an additional two 533mm torpedo tubes. The 650mm tubes can be fitted with liners to use the 533mm weaponry. The submarine is also able to use its torpedo tubes to launch mines.

General Characteristics

  • Length: 108 m
  • Beam: 13.5 m
  • Draft: 9.6 m
  • Displacement: 5,700/7,900 tons
  • Propulsion:
    • 1 pressurized-water nuclear reactor
    • 1 propeller
  • Crew: 70
  • Armament:
    • four 533mm torpedo tubes (six tubes on Improved Akulas and Akula II’s)
    • four 650mm torpedo tubes
  • Speed: 35 knots
  • Commissioned: ?


Last updated: 10-24-2004 05:10:45